Technical Questions

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Hardening of hydraulic cement

Q. What causes hardening of hydraulic cement (or concrete)?

 

A. When hydraulic cement is mixed with water to form a paste, the phases of the cement react with the water (hydration) to form a slowly developing cementitious structure that adheres to and binds together the fine-and coarse-aggregate particles to form hardened concrete. The most abundant hydration product is calcium-silicate hydrate. As long as moisture and unhydrated cement particles are present, the hydration products continue to form, increasing the strength of the concrete.

 

References: SP-1(02); E3-13

Topics in Concrete: Cementitious Material; Materials; Pozzolan

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