Heat of Hydration
The heat released as cement reacts with water. Important for thermal control in mass concrete to avoid cracking from temperature gradients.
OPC typically releases 250-350 kJ/kg of cement during hydration. The peak occurs in the first 24-72 hours.\n\nMass pours (>1.5 m thick) require low-heat strategies: PPC/PSC blends, lower cement content, ice cooling, or post-cooling pipes. Maximum allowed core-to-surface gradient is generally 20°C.
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.