Understanding the Filler Effect on the Nucleation and Growth of C-S-H

The filler effect, due to the physical presence of mineral additions in cement, is mainly known to accelerate the hydration of the clinker component. Previously, this was attributed to the surface of the filler providing nucleation sites for C-S-H as there is a clear dependence on the surface provided by the filler particles. Our results reveal that the increase in nucleation is quite low compared to the area provided. Based on the isothermal calorimetry experiments and SEM images, we demonstrate that the most important parameter is the interparticle distance. We propose that this is mainly the result of the shearing conditions rather than extra surface available for C-S-H as formerly assumed. Quantitatively slag and fly ash behave very similarly to quartz. Limestone, on the other hand, seems also to stimulate C-S-H nucleation giving it a higher efficiency in accelerating clinker hydration.

[1]  R. Flatt,et al.  Effect of mixing on the early hydration of alite and OPC systems , 2012 .

[2]  B. Lothenbach,et al.  Supplementary cementitious materials , 2011 .

[3]  Philippe Coussot,et al.  Steady state flow of cement suspensions: A micromechanical state of the art , 2010 .

[4]  K. Weerdt,et al.  Fly ash–limestone ternary cements: effect of component fineness , 2011 .

[5]  Hamlin M. Jennings,et al.  Influence of Nucleation Seeding on the Hydration Mechanisms of Tricalcium Silicate and Cement , 2009 .

[6]  A. Nonat,et al.  Hydration of cementitious materials, present and future , 2011 .

[7]  André Nonat,et al.  Experimental investigation of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) nucleation , 1999 .

[8]  Erick Ringot,et al.  Mineral admixtures in mortars Effect of inert materials on short-term hydration , 2003 .

[9]  M. Cyr,et al.  Mineral Admixtures in Mortars. Quantification of the Physical Effects of Inert Materials on Short-Term Hydration , 2005 .

[10]  R. L. Sharma,et al.  Influence of mineral additives on the hydration characteristics of ordinary Portland cement , 1999 .

[11]  E. Kadri,et al.  Combined effect of chemical nature and fineness of mineral powders on Portland cement hydration , 2010 .

[12]  Luc Taerwe,et al.  General hydration model for portland cement and blast furnace slag cement , 1995 .

[13]  Jeffrey W. Bullard,et al.  The Filler Effect: The Influence of Filler Content and Surface Area on Cementitious Reaction Rates , 2013 .

[14]  Jeffrey W. Bullard,et al.  Modeling and simulation of cement hydration kinetics and microstructure development , 2011 .

[15]  François de Larrard,et al.  The rheology of fresh high-performance concrete , 1996 .

[16]  J. Bullard,et al.  Mechanisms of cement hydration , 2011 .

[17]  Amélie Bazzoni,et al.  Study of early hydration mechanisms of cement by means of electron microscopy , 2014 .

[18]  G. D. Schutter,et al.  Cement Hydration In The Presence Of High Filler Contents , 2005 .

[19]  W. A. Gutteridge,et al.  Filler cement: The effect of the secondary component on the hydration of Portland cement: Part I. A fine non-hydraulic filler , 1990 .

[20]  André Nonat,et al.  The di- and tricalcium silicate dissolutions , 2013 .

[21]  Dietmar Stephan,et al.  The influence of nano-silica on the hydration of ordinary Portland cement , 2011, Journal of Materials Science.

[22]  John H. Sharp,et al.  The chemical composition and microstructure of hydration products in blended cements , 2004 .

[23]  J. Bullard.  A Determination of Hydration Mechanisms for Tricalcium Silicate Using a Kinetic Cellular Automaton Model , 2008 .

[24]  B. Lagerblad,et al.  The function of fillers in concrete , 2004 .