A DISCUSSION OF CEMENT HYDRATION IN RELATION TO THE CURING OF CONCRETE

TLDR

Abstract

THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF WATER REQUIRED TO BRING CEMENT TO ITS ULTIMATE DEGREE OF HYDRATION IS ABOUT 0.44 GRAM OF WATER PER GRAM OF CEMENT, PLUS THE CURING WATER THAT MUST BE ADDED TO KEEP THE PASTE SATURATED. FOR MAXIMUM HYDRATION, CONCRETE MUST BE KEPT SATURATED BECAUSE HYDRATION PRODUCTS CAN FORM ONLY IN WATER-FILLED SPACE AND ONLY IN THAT PART OF THE WATER-FILLED SPACE THAT IS OUTSIDE THE GEL SUBSTANCE, THAT IS ONLY IN THE WATER-FILLED CAPILLARIES IN THE PASTE. PROCEDURES REQUIRED TO PRODUCE MAXIMUM CEMENT HYDRATION, NAMELY, THOSE THAT WOULD PRODUCE AND MAINTAIN THE MAXIMUM DEGREE OF SATURATION, WOULD NOT GENERALLY BE JUSTIFIED. SELF-DESICCATION, AND EVEN SOME LOSS BY EVAPORATION, IS BENEFICIAL IN SOME RESPECTS. MEMBRANE CURING WILL NOT ASSURE FULL HYDRATION BUT MAY BE ADEQUATE AND DESIRABLE ESPECIALLY FOR CONCRETE MEMBERS IN CONTACT WITH SOIL. /AUTHOR/