Pore size distribution of portland cement slurries at very early stages of hydration (influence of curing temperature and pressure)

Abstract Pore size distribution of Portland cement pastes has been studied using helium picnometry and mercury porosimetry. Cement samples were hydrated under varying conditions of temperature and pressure and were investigated at very early stages of hydration : thickening, setting, and early hardening. The evolution of pore size distribution with time has been related to physical and chemical properties (compressive strength, shrinkage, and combined water). The interpretation has been based on the repartition between free pores of tubular shape and trapped pores of rounded shape, and a model is proposed for describing cement pore size distribution.