C-S-H Gel
Calcium silicate hydrate — the primary product of cement hydration and the main contributor to concrete strength. C-S-H is a nano-structured colloidal gel that binds aggregates together.
C-S-H accounts for roughly 50-60% of the volume of fully hydrated cement paste. Its layered, near-amorphous structure provides cohesion and load-bearing capacity.\n\nThe quality of C-S-H depends on water-cement ratio. Lower w/c produces denser, less porous gel with higher strength and durability.\n\nSupplementary materials like fly ash and GGBS react with calcium hydroxide to form additional C-S-H, refining pore structure and improving long-term performance.
The chemical reaction between cement and water that produces hardened cementitious paste. Hydration generates heat and the binding C-S-H gel that gives concrete its strength.
A by-product of iron manufacturing, ground to cement fineness. Used as a supplementary cementitious material at 25-65% replacement of cement.
A by-product of coal-fired power plants, used as a pozzolanic addition to concrete. Reacts with calcium hydroxide to form additional C-S-H.
The maximum compressive load a hardened concrete cube or cylinder can withstand before failure. The defining property of structural concrete.