A Review of research on the relationship between mechanical properties and chemical-morphological structure of the hydration products of hydraulic binders

One of the most interesting fields of activity in cement chemistry relates to the study of the factors that determine the strength development in the hardened cement paste. A combination of factors such as the chemical nature, surface forces, surface area, morphology, porosity and other characteristics may influence in a complex way the strength properties of the hardened paste. Recent work has shown that the hydrated silicate in hardened cements exists not only as ortho but also as di, teri and polysilicate chains. It appears therefore that the mechanical properties may also depend on the degree of condensation of the silicate structure. The authors have attempted to explain the variation in the mechanical property of cement hydrated under different conditions, by variations in the chemical nature, the morphology and the degree of condensation in the hydrated silicates.Peer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye