portlandcement.pptVIP

* * * * * * * Pozzolans in blended cements react with the lime released from the hydration of portland cement to produce more C-S-H. This reaction is beneficial as the calcium hydroxide has no cementing properties and contributes little to the strength of portland cement concrete. The additional C-S-H leads to increased strength and reduced permeability in blended cements. Some pozzolans also contain reactive alumina which will react to form various calcium aluminate hydrates and calcium alumino-silicate hydrates. * Over the first few weeks and months C-S-H, calcium hydroxide and alumino-ferrite phases continue to form. After a day or so, the depletion of gypsum results in the conversion of ettringite to monosulfate such that beyond 7 to 28 days, monosulfate is the principal sulfo-aluminate compound present. The fully hydrated cement will contain about 50% by mass of C-S-H and 20% or so of calcium hydroxide. The hydrated products occupy a greater volume than the original anhydrous clinker compounds resulting in a progressive reduction in porosity as hydration proceeds. * A very simple model of the microstructure of cement comprises anhydrous cement grains dispersed in water … * … the microstructure changes due to the dissolution of the cement and precipitation of hydration products in the pore spaces and around the grains of cement. The first products to form are ettringite and calcium hydroxide, and then CSH * … as hydration proceeds the cement grains reduce in size and … * the volume of hydration products increases * Eventually individual cement grains are bridged by the hydration products and the cement sets – that is it transforms from a liquid to a solid * Continued hydration results in a steady reduction in the pore space that was originally occupied by water. * * * * * As the degree of hydration increases to the capillary porosity decreases – so the development of a low and discontinuous porosity – and hence a low permeability – relies on achieving a suffici