ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Kinetic and thermodynamic modeling of Portland cement hydration at low temperatures

Zhuangzhuang Liu, Aimin Sha, Liqun Hu, Yongwei Lu, Wenxiu Jiao, Zheng Tong, and Jie Gao

E-mail: liuzhuangzhuang1986@gmail.com

Abstract: Portland cement have to hydrate in cold climates in some particular conditions. Therefore, a better understanding of cement hydration under low temperatures would benefit the cement-based composites application. In this study, Portland cement was, therefore, kinetically and thermodynamically simulated based on a simple kinetics model and minimization of Gibbs free energy. The results of an evaluation indicate that Portland cement hydration impact factors include the water–cement ratio (w/c), temperature, and specific surface area, with the latter being an especially remarkable factor. Therefore, increasing the specific surface area to an appropriate level may be a solution to speed the delayed hydration due to low temperatures. Meanwhile, the w/c ratio is believed to be controlled under cold climates with consideration of durability. The thermodynamic calculation results suggest that low-temperature influences can be divided into three levels: irrevocable effects (<0 °C), recoverable effects (0–10 °C), and insignificant effects (10–20 °C). Portland cement was additionally measured via X-ray diffraction, thermal gravity analysis, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption test in a laboratory and comparisons were drawn that validate the simulation result.

Keywords: Portland cement; Cold climates; Low temperature; Thermodynamics; Kinetics; Degree of hydration

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-016-0007-5

Chemical Papers 71 (4) 741–751 (2017)