Modeling and Simulation of Cement Hydration Kinetics and Microstructure Development

Published

December 22, 2011

Author(s)

Jeffrey Thomas, Joseph J. Biernacki, Jeffrey W. Bullard, Shashank Bishnoi, Jorge S. Dolado, George W. Scherer, Andreas Luttge

Abstract

This review endeavors to summarize the past 40 years or so of progress towards the development of mathematical models for understanding and predicting cement hydration behavior. A complete and accurate model of hydration would enable materials engineers not only to predict the performance of concrete in the field, but also to troubleshoot performance problems and even to help design new cementitious materials. Despite significant effort and progress, such a model has not yet been developed, mainly because cement hydration is one of the more complex phenomena in engineering science. Portland cement as we know it was invented nearly 200 years ago, but the processes that govern its reaction with water are still a matter of considerable debate, and several different theories are available for describing various aspects of hydration. A number of mathematical constructs have been developed to mimic hydration behavior, but these have generally focused on capturing changes in either select microscopic features or in the overall extent of hydration. Nevertheless, steady progress is being made toward a more comprehensive model description of hydration that describes both the development of microstructure and the kinetics.

Citation

Cement and Concrete Research

Volume

41

Issue

12

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

computer modeling, simulation, building technology, cement hydration

Citation

Thomas, J. , Biernacki, J. , Bullard, J. , Bishnoi, S. , Dolado, J. , Scherer, G. and Luttge, A. (2011), Modeling and Simulation of Cement Hydration Kinetics and Microstructure Development, Cement and Concrete Research (Accessed December 12, 2024)