A conceptual model of the cement hydration process

Cement hydration development has been analyzed on the basis of measured dat a obtained by the microcalorimetrical method. Based on the most appropriate model assumed, thermokinetic analysis has been carried out for the polymin eral and polysize system tested on industrial cement samples. A computer pr ogram has been developed to determine specific kinetic parameters describin g individual hydration processes. The program makes it possible to determin e the controlling processes during hydration and their share. Certain kinet ic parameters make it possible to observe differences in hydration of pure clinker minerals and of Portland cement in a subtler way. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.