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The pozzolanic reaction is the chemical reaction that occurs in portland cement upon the addition of pozzolans. It is the main reaction involved in the Roman concrete invented in Ancient Rome and used to build, for example, the Pantheon. The pozzolanic reaction converts a silica-rich precursor with no cementing properties, to a calcium silicate ...
Concrete hardens as a result of the chemical reaction between cement and water (known as hydration and producing heat). For every mass (kilogram, pound, or any unit of weight) of cement (c), about 0.35 mass of water (w) is needed to fully complete the hydration reactions. [1]
When water is added to cement, each of the compounds undergoes hydration and contributes to the final state of the concrete. [2] Only calcium silicates contribute to the strength. Tricalcium silicate is responsible for most of the early strength (first 7 days). [3] Dicalcium silicate, which reacts more slowly, only contributes to late strength.
The concrete at young age must be protected against water evaporation due to direct insolation, elevated temperature, low relative humidity and wind. The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is a region of the cement paste around the aggregate particles in concrete. In the zone, a gradual transition in the microstructural features occurs. [52]
Traditional conditions for curing involve spraying or ponding the concrete surface with water. The adjacent picture shows one of many ways to achieve this, ponding—submerging setting concrete in water and wrapping in plastic to prevent dehydration. Additional common curing methods include wet burlap and plastic sheeting covering the fresh ...
The water diffusion time is thus proportional to the square of its transport distance. As a consequence, the water saturation degree inside thick concrete structures often remains higher than 80%, a level sufficient to provide enough water to the system and to maintain the alkali-silica reaction on going.
The chemical reaction of Portland cement and water that is known as hydration, which is necessary for the strengthening of the concrete, requires a water:cement ratio of only about 0.25. With a water:cement ratio of 0.5, there is twice the amount of water in the concrete mix than what is needed for hydration.
A chemical reaction occurs with the excess Ca(OH) 2 (portlandite) present in the concrete that permanently binds the silicates with the surface, making them far more durable and water repellent. This treatment generally is applied only after the initial cure has taken place (approximately seven days depending on conditions).