Hydration characteristics of slag-blended cement at different temperatures

Abstract

The compressive strength of mortar, pore structure, hydration heat, and non-evaporable water content of slag-blended cement used to prepare self-consolidating concrete were investigated. The blended cement pastes were cured at different temperatures to simulate the condition of real concrete structure. The blended cement containing 30% of slag possesses almost same characteristics as pure Portland cement. Incorporation of 70% of slag shows much lower properties than them. The dosage of slag in blended cement should be controlled in a reasonable range. Elevated temperature activates the hydration of binders but shortens the hydration continuing time, which results in a coarse paste microstructure and a low final strength.

Keywords:

• cement
• slag
• strength
• pore structure
• hydration heat
• hydration degree

Acknowledgment

Authors would like to acknowledge the finance support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant Nos. U1134008 and 51278277).