CIV-E2020 Concrete technology (5 cr) (1/31)

Lecture 2. Portland cement

Prepared by:
D.Sc. Fahim Al-Neshawy,

Reviewed by:
Prof. Jouni Punkki

Aalto University School of Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering
A: P.O.Box 12100, FIN-00076 Aalto, Finland
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Lecture 2. Portland cement ................................................................................................................. 1

2.1 Cement: definitions .................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Portland cement production ...................................................................................................... 4
2.2.1 Raw materials:..................................................................................................................... 4
2.2.2 Manufacturing process: ...................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Chemical compounds of Portland cement ................................................................................. 7
2.4 Hydration of Portland cement ................................................................................................... 8
2.4.1 Hydration mechanisms ....................................................................................................... 8
2.4.2 Stages of cement hydration .............................................................................................. 10
2.4.3 Cement hydration reactions ............................................................................................. 12
2.4.3.1 Tricalcium aluminate (C3A) reactions........................................................................ 13
2.4.3.2 Tricalcium silicate (C3S) reaction ............................................................................... 14
2.4.3.3 Tetracalcium alumino ferrite (C4AF) reactions ......................................................... 14
2.4.3.4 Dicalcium silicate (C2S) reaction................................................................................ 15
2.4.4 Temperature and strength development during hydration ............................................. 15
2.4.4.1 Heat of hydration....................................................................................................... 15
2.4.4.2 Strength development for pure clinker minerals ...................................................... 17
2.5 Volume of hydration products ................................................................................................. 18
2.5.1.1 Microstructure of hydrated cement pastes .............................................................. 18
2.5.1.2 The volumes of hydration products using Powers and Brownyard’s model ............ 21
2.5.1.3 Water in the cement past .......................................................................................... 24
2.6 Interfacial Transition Zone ....................................................................................................... 26
2.7 References ................................................................................................................................ 27
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2.1 Cement: definitions

Portland cement: Hydraulic cementitous material based on clinker, a material composed of calcium
silicates and aluminates, and a small amount of added gypsum/anhydrite. The cement is made
by burning mixtures of limestone and argilaceous rocks (slates).
Composite cements (Blended cements): Some types of cement are mixtures of Portland cement with
other material, such as blastfurnace slag (BFS) from iron production, pulverised fuel ash (FA)
from coal-fired electricity power stations or silica fumes. The use of blended cement reduces
water demand and therefore water-cement ratio can be reduced, improves workability for the
same water content. The blended cements are finer as compared to OPC, therefore the
permeability of concrete is less. This results into improved durability.
Cement clinker: is a dark grey nodular material made by heating ground limestone and clay at a
temperature of about 1400 °C - 1500 °C. The nodules are ground up to a fine powder to
produce cement, with a small amount of gypsum added to control the setting properties.
Nodules range in size from 1mm to 25mm or more and are composed mainly of calcium
silicates, typically 70%-80%. Portland cement clinker contains four principal minerals: (i) Alite
(tricalcium silicate), (ii) Belite (dicalcium silicate), (iii) Aluminate(tricalcium aluminate) and (iv)
Ferrite (tetracalcium aluminoferrite)
Setting time: The transition from fresh cement paste to hardened cement paste. The terms “initial
set” and “final set” refer to specific times when the paste becomes no longer workable and
completely rigid, respectively. “Setting” is the process by which transition occurs.
Hydration: The chemical reactions between cement and water. Hydration is what causes cement
paste to first set and then harden.
Hydration products: The new solid phases that are formed by hydration.
Heat of hydration: Like most spontaneous chemical reactions, the hydration reactions between
cement and water are exothermic, meaning that they release heat. Large volumes of concrete
can warm up considerably during the first few days after mixing when hydration is rapid.
Cement paste: Mixture of Portland cement and water alone (used for filling cracks and sealing small
spaces)
Mortar: Mixture of Portland cement, fine sand and water (used for example for the construction of
brick walls)
Concrete: Mixture of Portland cement, coarse and fine aggregates (rock pebbles, sand), water and
chemical additives. The mechanical strength can be reinforced by the insertion of steel bars.
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2.2 Portland cement productionCement is the hydraulic binder (hydraulic = hardening when
combined with water) which is used to produce concrete. Cement paste (cement mixed with
water) sets and hardens by hydration, both in air and under water. The main base materials for
Portland cement, are limestone, marl and clay, which are mixed in defined proportions. This raw
mix is burned at about 1450 °C to form clinker, which is later ground to the well-known fineness
of cement.

Figure 2-1. Schematic overview of the Portland cement manufacturing.

2.2.1 Raw materials:

Table 2-1. The fundamental chemical compounds to produce cement clinker.

Chemical
Typical Raw Materials Formula Shorthand form % by weight
Components
Limestone (CaCO3), chalk,
Lime or Calcium
oxide
shells, shale or calcareous CaO C 60 – 67%
rock
sand(SiO2), shale, clay or
Silica
argillaceous rock
SiO2 S 17 – 25%
bauxite, recycled
Alumina aluminum, Al2O3 A 3 - 8%
clay
clay, iron ore, scrap iron
Iron
and fly ash
Fe2O3 F 0.5 – 6.0%
Gypsum, CaSO4.2H20
Sulfate found together with SO3 Ŝ 0.5 – 1.3%
limestone
Water H2O H
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2.2.2 Manufacturing process:

Manufacturing process of cement include three steps:

1. Mixing and crushing of raw materials
a. Dry process
b. Wet process
2. Burning
3. Grinding

4. Figure 2-2. Portland cement manufacturing (dry / wet) process (1).

(1.a) Mixing and crushing of raw materials - Dry process:

 In the dry process calcareous material such as lime stone (calcium carbonate) and argillaceous
material such as clay are ground separately to fine powder in the absence of water and then are
mixed together in the desired proportions.
 Water is then added to it for getting thick paste and then its cakes are formed, dried and burnt in
kilns.
 Dry process is usually used when raw materials are very strong and hard.
 In the dry process, the raw materials are changed to powdered form in the absence of water.
 About 75% of cement is produced using the dry process
(1.b) Mixing and crushing of raw materials - Wet process:
 In the wet process, the raw materials are changed to powdered form in the presence of water.
 Raw materials are pulverized by using a Ball mill, which is a rotary steel cylinder with hardened
steel balls. When the mill rotates, steel balls pulverize the raw materials which form slurry (liquid
mixture). The slurry is then passed into storage tanks, where correct proportioning is done.

1
Michael S. Mamlouk and John P. Zaniewski, (2011). Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers, 3rd Edition: Chapter 6
- PORTLAND CEMENT, MIXING WATER, AND ADMIXTURES
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 Proper composition of raw materials can be ensured by using wet process than dry process.
Corrected slurry is then fed into rotary kiln for burning.
 Wet process is generally used when raw materials are soft because complete mixing is not
possible unless water is added.
 About 25% of cement is produced using the wet process.
(2) Burning:
Corrected slurry is feed to rotary kiln, which is about 1.5 m in diameter and 15 m in length and
temperature arrangement is up to 1500-1650 οC. At this temperature slurry losses moisture and
forms into small lumps, after that changes to clinkers. Clinkers are cooled in another inclined tube
similar to kiln but of lesser length
(3) Grinding:
Grinding is the final process where clinker is grinded, it is first cooled down to atmospheric
temperature. Grinding of clinker is done in large tube mills. After proper grinding gypsum (Calcium
sulphate Ca SO4) in the ratio of 01-04 % is added for controlling the setting time of cement.
Finally, fine ground cement is stored in storage tanks from where it is drawn for packing.

Fineness of Portland cement

 Most of the cement particles have a size of between 2 and 80 μm.
 The surface area per unit weight values of most cements in common use range from about 300 to
400 m2/kg.
 The fineness of cement affects the rate of hydration and thus the rate of strength gain
 Greater fineness increases the surface available for hydration, causing greater early strength and
more rapid generation of heat
 The coarser cement will result in higher ultimate strength and lower early strength gain of mortar

Figure 2-3. Schematic diagram of cement compounds

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2.3 Chemical compounds of Portland cement

The proportions of the chemical compounds of cement vary in the various Portland cements. Table
2-2 presents the composition and percentage of found compounds for Portland cement.
Table 2-2. Chemical compounds of cement clinker.
Shorthand % by
Compound Formula Properties of cement compounds
form weight
 It is responsible for early strength
 First 7 days strength is due to C3S
Alite or tricalcium
Ca3SiO4 C3S 50 - 70%  It produces more heat of hydration
silicate
 Cement with more C3S is better for cold weather
concreting.
 C2S hydrates after 7 days. Hence, it gives strength
after 7 days.
Belite or  C2S hydrates and harden slowly and provides much
Ca2SiO5 C2S 15 - 30%
dicalcium silicate of the ultimate strength
 It produces less heat of hydration.
 Responsible for long term strength
 The reaction of C3A with water is very fast and may
lead to an immediate stiffening of paste, and this
process is termed as flash set.
 To prevent this flash set, 2 to 3% gypsum is added
Tricalcium
Ca3Al2O6 C3A 5 - 10% at the time of grinding the cement clinkers.
aluminate
 C3A liberates a lot of heat during the early stages
of hydration, but has little (almost none) strength
contribution.
 Cement low in C3A is sulfate resistant.
 It hydrates very rapidly.
 Contributes very little strength of concrete even
though
Tetracalcium  Also responsible for grey colour of Ordinary
Ca4Al2Fe2O10 C4AF 5-15%
aluminoferrite Portland Cement
 The hydrates of C4AF show a comparatively higher
resistance to sulphate attaches than the hydrates
of C3A
Sodium oxide Na2O N 0.5 -
Potassium oxide K2O K 1.3%
Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O CSH2

The Bogue calculation of cement mineral composition:

A simple estimate of the phase composition of a portland cement can be obtained from the oxide
composition, shown in Table 2-1, if it is assumed that the four main cement clinker minerals occur in
their pure form. With this assumption, all of the Fe2O3 is assigned to C4AF and the remaining Al2O3 is
assigned to C3A. This leaves a set of two linear equations to be solved for the amounts of C2S and
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C3S. This method is named after the cement chemist R.H. Bogue. There are two sets of equations,
based on the ratio of Al2O3/Fe2O3 (A/F) in the cement (both inputs and outputs are in weight percent):

a) If Al2O3/Fe2O3 (A/F) > 0.64

C3S = 4.071C – 7.600S – 6.718A – 1.430F – 2.852Ŝ

C2S = 2.867S – 0.7544C3S
C3A = 2.650A – 1.692F
C4AF = 3.043F
b) If A/F < 0.64

C3S = 4.071C – 7.600S – 4.479A – 2.859F – 2.852Ŝ

C2S = 2.867S – 0.7544C3S
C3A = 0
C4AF = 2.100A + 1.702F

2.4 Hydration of Portland cement

 Hydration is a series of irreversible exothermic

chemical reactions between cement and water
 Cement-water paste sets and hardenes, gluing the
aggregates together in a solid mass
 complete hydration of Portland cement generates
300 –500 J/g
 temperature in large structures can rise up to 80 –
100 °C, which can cause surface cracking
 Formation of hydration products over time leads to:
o Stiffening (loss of workability)
o Setting (Solidification)
o Hardening (Strength gain)

2.4.1 Hydration mechanisms

There are two primary mechanisms for the cement hydration, topochemical and through-solution
reaction as shown in Figure 2-4 [ 2], [ 3].

2
Kimberly Kurtis, Portland Cement Hydration – Lecture notes. School of Civil Engineering. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia. Online at: http://people.ce.gatech.edu/~kk92/hyd07.pdf
3
K. van Brellge/ (1992). Numerical Simulation of Hydration and Microstructural Development in Hardening Cement-Based
Materials. Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology. HERON, Vol. 37.
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Topochemical or solid-state hydration

 Reactions take place directly at the surface of the un-hydrated cement compounds without
going into solution.

Figure 2-4. Schematic representation of proposed hydration mechanisms

Through-Solution Concept
 Involves dissolution of un-hydrated cement compounds to their ionic constituents (Ca+2, Al+3,
SiO-) formation of hydrates in solution, and eventual precipitation due to their low solubility.
When water is added to cement, what happens?

Figure 2-5. cement hydration process

 Dissolution of cement grains

 Growing ionic concentration in “water” (now a solution)
 Formation of cement compounds in solution
 After reaching a saturation concentration, compounds precipitate out as solids (“hydration
products”)
 In later stages, products form on or very near the surface of the anhydrous cement
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2.4.2 Stages of cement hydration

To simplify the hydration process, chemical reactions between the various compounds in Portland
cement and water are described in five stages. The stages are illustrated by a curve that represents
changes in heat during the first hours and days of hydration (shown in Figure 2-6) [ 4].

Figure 2-6. The five stages of hydration mapped on a heat vs. time curve

Stage (1): Initial reactions

 several dissolution and hydration reactions
 reactions of C3A with gypsum
 duration 10 – 20 minutes after addition of water
Stage (2): Induction phase
 low reaction rates
 ettringite hinders C3A reaction
 member-osmosis theory
 duration 2 – 4 hours at 20 °C  transporting, casting and finishing of concrete
 setting begins at the end of this phase
Stage (3): Accelerating phase
 increasing reaction rate

4
IMCP (Integrated Materials and Construction Practices for Concrete Pavement) Technical Summary 4a. Cement
Hydration ; The Basics. Online at: http://www.cptechcenter.org/technical-
library/documents/imcp/tech_summaries/4a%20Hydration%20Basics.pdf
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 beginning of C3S hydration

 compressive strength growth begins
 duration from 5 – 10 hours after addition of water
Stage (4): Decelerating phase
 products generated during hydration of C3A are attached onto cement particles
 hydration products are larger than clinker mineral particles
 water space around particles is filled up
 reaction rate decreases
 C3A reaction peak noticed after gypsum is consumed
 Ettringite begins to decompose to monosulfate
Stage (5): Steady state (can continue for years)
 Belite (C2S) dissolves and reacts more slowly than alite (C3S).
 Belite reactions also produce C-S-H and CH, forming a solid
 The longer the cement in concrete hydrates (that is, belites and any remaining alites
react with water), the greater the concrete’s strength and the lower the permeability.
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2.4.3 Cement hydration reactions

 The C3A and C3S phase are the most reactive phases, despite the presence of gypsum which is
added mainly to control the reaction of the aluminate.
 In the absence of gypsum or other sulfate, the C3A would react extremely quickly and setting
of the cement would occur in minutes – a process know as flash set.
 The rate of reaction of the ferrite phase in the presence of gypsum is somewhat slower than
that of the C3S.
 C2S – or belite – reacts more slowly than the other compounds.

Figure 2-7. Rate of hydration of cement compounds in portland cement paste

Figure 2-8. The atomic mass of the cement elements and the chemical compounds of cement clinker
used in the cement hydration reactions.
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2.4.3.1 Tricalcium aluminate (C3A) reactions

In reactions without gypsum.

C3A react with water generating tricalcium aluminate hydrate

C3A + 6H → C3AH6
Tricalcium aluminate +Water tricalcium aluminate hydrate
Total atomic mass: + 108.09 → 336.405
228.315g
Clinker = 1 g Water /1g CAH /1g clinker → 1.40 g
clinker
(+ 0.40 g)
C3A react with water generating dicalcium aluminate hydrate and tetracalcium aluminate hydrate
C3A + 27H → C2AH8 + C4AH19
Tricalcium aluminate +Water → dicalcium aluminate + tetracalcium aluminate
hydrate hydrate
1g + 0.90 g → 0.66 g + 1.25 g

In reactions with gypsum,

The tricalcium aluminate reacts with the gypsum in the presence of water to produce ettringite
(trisulfate- AFt) and heat.
Ettringite consists of long crystals that are only stable in a solution with gypsum. The compound does
not contribute to the strength of the cement glue.
C3A + 3C$H2 + 26H → C6A$3H32
Tricalcium alum. +gypsum +water → ettringite (trisulfate)
1g +2.08 g + 1.73 g → 4.82 g
Once all the gypsum is concumed as per reaction above, the ettringite becomes unstable and reacts
with the remaining tricalcium aluminate to form monosulfate crystals.
2C3A +C6A$3H32 +4H → 3(C4A$H12)
Tricalcium alum. +ettringite +water → monosulfate
1g + 2.41 g + 0.13 g → 4.14g

- 2–5 % gypsum retards C3A hydration reaction

- Ettringite is formed on the C3A patch of the cement grain and hinders its reaction.
Ettringite needles are stable as long as there is unreacted gypsum in mix water
- Thereafter ettringite reacts with C3A and generates monosulfate
- When ettringite patch disintegrates hydration of C3A begins
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2.4.3.2 Tricalcium silicate (C3S) reaction

The tricalcium silicate (alite) is hydrated to produce calcium silicate hydrates, calcium hydroxide (CH)
and heat. The CSH has a short-networked fiber structure, which contributes greatly to the initial
strength of the cement glue.

2C3S +6H → C3S2H3 + 3CH

Tricalcium silicate + water → tobermorite + calcium hydroxide
1g +0.37 g → 0.78 g +0.90 g

2.4.3.3 Tetracalcium alumino ferrite (C4AF) reactions

The Tetracalcium alumino ferrite reactions are similar reaction as with C3A, but slower
The ferrite undergoes two progressive reactions with the gypsum:
- in the first of the reactions, the tetracalcium alumino ferrite (C4AF) reacts with the gypsum
and water to form ettringite, calcium hydroxide and alumina hydroxides.

C4AF + 3C$H2 + 30H → C6A$3H32 +CH + FH3

tetracalcium + gypsum + water → ettringite + calcium + ferrite
aluminate ferrite hydroxide hydrate
1g +1.16 g +1.11 g → 2.68 g +0.15 g 0.44 g

- the ferrite further reacts with the ettringite formed above to produce monosulfate.
- The monosulfate only take up space and do not - in any way- contribute to the strength of
the cement paste

2C4AF + C6A$3H32 + 12H → 3(C4A$H12) +2CH + 2FH3

tetracalcium + gypsum + water → monosulfate + calcium + ferrite
aluminate ferrite hydroxide hydrate
1g 1.34 g 0.22 g → 1.97 g + 0.15 g 0.44 g
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2.4.3.4 Dicalcium silicate (C2S) reaction

The belite (dicalcium silicate) also hydrates to form calcium silicate hydrates and heat
2C3S +4H → C3S2H3 + CH
Tricalcium silicate + water → tobermorite + calcium hydroxide
1g +0.21 g → 0.99 g +0.22 g

Reduction of the volume of pore space and the formation of reaction products with time are shown in
Figure 2-9.

Figure 2-9. Schematic illustration of formation of reaction products and reduction of the volume of
pore space with time in a portland cement paste.

2.4.4 Temperature and strength development during hydration

Concrete temperature is primarily determined by the cement hydration process and by heat exchange
with the surrounding environment. The hydration process reflects the characteristics of concrete
materials and mix proportions as well as the change in construction practices and environmental
conditions. Cement hydration also consequently influences concrete workability, setting behavior,
strength gain rates, and pore structures.

2.4.4.1 Heat of hydration

When Portland cement is mixed with water, heat is liberated. This heat is called the heat of hydration,
the result of the exothermic chemical reaction between cement and water. The heat generated by the
cement’s hydration raises the temperature of concrete.
During normal concrete construction, the heat is dissipated into the air and resulting temperature
changes within the structure are not significant. However, in some situations, particularly in massive
structures, such as dams, mat foundations, or any element more than about a meter thick, the heat
can not be readily released. The mass concrete may then attain high internal temperatures, especially
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during hot weather construction, or if high cement contents are used. Figure 2-10 demonstrates the
effect of element size on concrete temperature with time due to the heat of hydration.

Figure 2-10. Effect of member thickness on temperature of concrete

As a rule of thumb, the maximum temperature differential between the interior and exterior
concrete should not exceed 20°C to avoid crack development.
For the normal Portland cement:
 50% of the total heat is liberated in 1-3 days
 75% of the total heat is liberated at 7 days
 83-91% at 180 days

Factors affecting heat of hydration

Materials can be selected to minimize or maximize the heat of hydration, depending on the need.
 Cements with higher contents of tricalcium silicate and tricalcium aluminate, as well as a
higher fineness have higher rates of heat generation than other cements.
 Sulfate content, in its relation to controlling the hydration of calcium aluminate, participates in
the rate of heat liberation.
 Higher fineness provides a greater surface area to be wetted, resulting in an acceleration of
the reaction between cement and water. This causes an increase in the rate of heat liberation
at early ages, but may not influence the total amount of heat developed over several weeks.
 Other factors influencing heat development in concrete include the cement content, water-
cement ratio, placing and curing temperature, the presence of mineral and chemical
admixtures, and the dimensions of the structural element.
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Table 2-3. Characteristics of hydration of the cement compounds

NOTICE: Modelling of the temperature development will be presented in lecture 5 – properties of

fresh concrete.

2.4.4.2 Strength development for pure clinker minerals

The compressive strength development of pastes made of pure C3S, C2S, (C3A + gypsum) and (C4AF +
gypsum) is presented Figure 2-11.

Figure 2-11. Compressive Strength development in pastes of pure cement compounds.

The research results may be summarized as follows:

 C3S exhibits fairly rapid short-time strength development and subsequent gradual strength
increase for at least 1 year.
 The initial strength development of C2S is sluggish, yet the strength increases gradually for at
least 1 year and reaches reasonably high final values
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 The strength of hydrated C3A is very low even after 1 year of hydration
 C4AF exhibits a rapid short-term strength development but only a very moderate strength
increase, or even a moderate strength decline later on.
NOTICE: Modelling of the strength development based on the heat of hydration will be presented in
lecture 5 – properties of fresh concrete.

2.5 Volume of hydration products

Hardened paste consists of the following:

 Calcium Sulfoaluminate (Ettringite) 15 to 20%
 Calcium silicate hydrates, CSH 50 to 60%
 Calcium hydroxide (lime) 20 to 25%
 Voids (form of capillary voids
and entrapped and entrained air) 5 to 6%

2.5.1.1 Microstructure of hydrated cement pastes

The development of cement microstructure relates to the five chemical stages described earlier in this
lecture.

Figure 2-12. Structure of hardened cement paste. [ 5]

5
John Newman, B S Choo (2003). Advanced Concrete Technology 2: Concrete Properties. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003.
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Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) -- the largest component of the cement paste (50-60%) and is the
most important component in the hydration process. The amount of C-S-H coating on a C3S
grain is very small during stage (2) of hydration and increases rapidly in stage (3). The spines of
the forming C-S-H radiate outward from each grain with the bulk of the material below the
spines. As the C-S-H hydrates further, the coating thickness grows forcing the outward spines of
adjacent particles to interlock to form solid bonds. As hydration continues the intermeshed
spines contribute to an increase in the undercoating of C-S-H growth. The effect is to bond the
cement grains together with the C-S-H coating.
Calcium hydroxide (CH) -- constitutes 20-25% of the cement volume. In the acceleration stage, CH
grows in the capillary pore space. CH will only grow in free space; on encountering another CH
crystal it will grow in another direction; also it will grow completely around a hydrating cement
grain. The latter effect gives the CH a larger apparent volume in cement pastes than it would
have as a pure crystal.
Calcium Sulfoaluminate -- a small component of cement pastes (15-20%) having little effect on
microstructure. Young spiny ettringite crystals grow into capillary space and later convert to flat
monosulfoaluminate crystals. There will be unhydrated residues in the cement paste, mainly
caused by calcium hydroxide, even in very matured hydrated pastes.

Figure 2-13. schematic digram of the structure of hydrated cement paste.

Porosity -- a major component of microstructure which will influence paste properties. Pore size
distribution is difficult to measure. Many tests require drying, which affects the pore structure. The
classifications of pore sizes are:
1) Capillary pore -- space formed between hydrating gains.
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Depend on initial separation of cement particles, which is controlled by the ratio of

water to cement (w/c)
 On the order of 10 to 50 nm, although larger for higher w/c
i. Larger pores effect strength and permeability, whereas smaller pores impact
shrinkage.
2) Gel pores -- very small spaces in the C-S-H coating. Constitutes the bulk of porosity in a cement
paste.
 Space between layers in C-S-H with thickness between 0.5 and 2.5 nm
 Can contribute 28% of paste porosity
 Little impact on strength, permeability, or shrinkage
3) Trapped air (Air voids)
o In addition to the interlayer space and capillary voids, air can be trapped in the cement
paste during mixing.
o The trapped air reduces strength and increases permeability.
o However, well-distributed, minute air bubbles can greatly increase the durability of the
cement paste.
o Admixtures are widely used to entrain air into the cement paste.

Figure 2-14. Dimensional range of pores in a hydrated cement paste. [ 6]

6
Mehta, P. K. and Monteiro, P. J.(2006). Concrete: Microstructure, Properties and Materials. 3rd ed. London: McGraw-Hill;
2006. DOI: 10.1036/0071462899.
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2.5.1.2 The volumes of hydration products using Powers and Brownyard’s model [ 7]

Water requirement in hydration is denoted by wk

𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊ℎ𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛
𝑤𝑤𝑘𝑘 = =
𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊ℎ𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦

On complete hydration of Portland cement the water amount bound chemically is wk = 0.25
𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶

Where: α is the degree of hydration

C is the total amount of cement (kg/m³)
𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛 𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛
= = 0.25
𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶

The degree of hydration is estimated as:

𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛
𝛼𝛼 =
0.25 ∗ 𝐶𝐶
Wn = the amount of water that has been chemically combined into the hydration products (non-
evaporable water)
The maximum degree of hydration is calculated based on the type of curing as follow:
1) without wet curing (no outside water)
𝜃𝜃
𝛼𝛼𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = ≤1
1.4 × (1 − 𝜃𝜃)
𝑤𝑤

where 𝜃𝜃 = 𝑐𝑐
𝑤𝑤 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤
+
𝑐𝑐 𝜌𝜌𝑐𝑐

w/c is the water cement ratio

ρw is the density of water
ρc is the density of cement
2) with wet curing
𝜃𝜃
𝛼𝛼𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = ≤1
1.2 × (1 − 𝜃𝜃)

7
Gomes, J. (1997). Mathematical models for assessing hydration and microstructure of cement pastes. Doctoral Thesis.
C.E.M.U. (Civil Engineering Materials Unit) Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Leeds
 CIV-E2020 Concrete technology (5 cr) (22/31)

Figure 2-15. Schematic representation of the volumetric proportions of the main components in
hardened concrete at time of initial set (a) and at time t after setting (b).

1) Total volume of the cement paste

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑉𝑉𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐 + 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤 + 𝐴𝐴

Vc =The volume of cement

Vw = The volume of water
A = the air content of the past

2) Amount of unhydrated cement

𝐶𝐶−𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝐶𝐶−𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼 𝐶𝐶(1−𝛼𝛼)
The amount of unhydrated cement is: 𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = = =
𝜌𝜌𝑐𝑐 𝜌𝜌𝑐𝑐 𝜌𝜌𝑐𝑐

Chyd = the amount of hydrated cement

Considering ρcem = 3.1 g/cm³

𝐶𝐶(1 − 𝛼𝛼)
𝑉𝑉𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = = 0.32𝐶𝐶(1 − 𝛼𝛼)
3.1

3) Volume of contraction pores

Contraction pores appear during hydration, because the volume of the hydration products is less than
that of the constituents cement plus water. Contraction pores are 25 % of the original volume of
chemically bound water
 CIV-E2020 Concrete technology (5 cr) (23/31)

𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛
𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 = 0.25 ×
𝜌𝜌𝑊𝑊
Wn = the amount of water that has been chemically combined into the hydration products (non-
evaporable water) = wk*Chyd = 0.26*Chyd
0.25 × 𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝐶𝐶
𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 = 0.25 × = 0.0625 �𝛼𝛼 × �
𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤
considering ρw =1 g/cm³

𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 = 0.0625 × 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶

4) Solid products of hydration – cement gel

𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 �𝑉𝑉ℎ𝑝𝑝 � + 𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 (𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛 ) − 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 (𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 )

𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 = 0.25 × 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛

𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝑉𝑉ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 + 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛 − 0.25 × 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛

Vhyd = the volume of hydrated cement

𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝑉𝑉ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 + 0.75 × 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛
𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 0.25×𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = + 0.75 × � �
𝜎𝜎𝑐𝑐 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤

𝛼𝛼×𝐶𝐶 0.25×𝛼𝛼×𝐶𝐶
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶, 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝜎𝜎𝑐𝑐
+ 0.75 × � 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤
�

Considering ρc =3.1 g/cm³ and ρw =1.0 g/cm³

1 0.1875
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶 × �3.1 + � = 0.51 × 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶 [dm³]
1.0
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2.5.1.3 Water in the cement past

The types of water in the cement past are:
1) Chemically bound water (Non-evaporable water).
2) Gel water (Evaporable water).
3) Capillary water (Evaporable water).

Figure 2-16. Shematic diagram of the prosity of cement past

𝑤𝑤 𝜌𝜌 𝜃𝜃 1.0 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑³ 𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃
The water / cement ration 𝑐𝑐
= �𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 � × 1−𝜃𝜃 ≈ �3.1 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑³� × 1−𝜃𝜃 ≈ 0.32 × �1−𝜃𝜃�
𝑤𝑤

The air content (A) has to be taken into account to calculate the consumed water amount during
cement hydration.

𝑤𝑤 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 𝜃𝜃 − 𝐴𝐴 1
=� �× 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (1 − 𝜃𝜃) = (1 − 𝐴𝐴) × � 𝑤𝑤 𝜌𝜌 �
𝑐𝑐 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 1 − 𝜃𝜃 1 + � 𝑐𝑐 � × �𝜌𝜌 𝑐𝑐 �
𝑤𝑤

1) Chemically bound water

Chemically bound (constitutive) water is the water bound in C-S-H layers. The chemically bound water
separation may occur only by calcining the material at high temperatures (range 600-750°C).
𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑐𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤
The water requirement in hydration 𝑤𝑤𝑘𝑘 = 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

For complete hydration of the Portland cement (α=1), the water amount bound chemically (wk = 0.25)
In the chemical reactions during the hydration process, the volume of the hydration products is
smaller than the original volume of the reacting components.
The volume decrease = 25% of the original water volume reacting
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2) Gel water
The volume of gel pores in the hydrated cement paste (Vgp) is a 28 % of the total volume of the
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
cement paste gel. 𝑉𝑉 = 0.28
𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 +𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

where Vgs is the solid part of the cement past gel.

0.28
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 0.28�𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 + 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 � = 0.28 × 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 + 0.28 × 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = × 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
0.72
0.28 1 0.19
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = × 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶 � + �
0.72 𝜌𝜌𝑐𝑐 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤
Considering ρcem = 3.1 g/cm³ and ρw = 1 g/cm³, then

𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 0.2 × 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶 [𝑑𝑑𝑚𝑚3 ]

A more precise for calculating the volume of gel pores is:

𝑊𝑊𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = 3 × 𝑘𝑘 × 𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛

where k ≈ 0,23(C3S wt%) + 0,32(C2S wt%) + 0,317(C3A wt%) + 0,368(C4AF wt%),

in which the weight percent of the cement compounds is used.

𝑊𝑊𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = = 3 × (0,23(C3S) + 0,32(C2S) + 0,317(C3A) + 0,368(C4AF) × 𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛
𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤

considering ρw =1 g/cm³

3) Capillary water
The volume of the capillary pores Vcap = Vw – Vn – Vgp
where Vw is the total water amount
Vn is the chemically bound water
Vgp is the gel water

1 𝑤𝑤 𝑤𝑤
𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤 − 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛 − 𝑉𝑉𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = � × 𝐶𝐶 − 0.25 × 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶 − 0.2 × 𝛼𝛼 × 𝐶𝐶� = 𝐶𝐶 � − 0.45 × 𝛼𝛼�
𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐
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2.6 Interfacial Transition Zone

Concrete is made up of two distinctly different constituents, (i) the cement paste and (ii) the
aggregate, and there is a tendency to assume that the properties of each of these is unaffected by the
presence of the other. The cement particles in fresh concrete, which are suspended in the mix water,
cannot pack together as efficiently when they are in the close vicinity of a much larger solid object,
such an aggregate particle. This is actually a general phenomenon associated with particle packing,
known as the "wall effect." In the case of concrete, this is effect is magnified by the shearing stresses
exerted on the cement paste by the aggregate particles during mixing, which tend to cause the water
to separate from the cement particles. The result is a narrow region around the aggregate particles
with fewer cement particles, and thus more water. This is called the interfacial transition zone,
abbreviated ITZ.
The ITZ is a region with a higher w/c, and thus a higher porosity, than the bulk paste. It is not uniform,
but varies from point to point along each aggregate particle, with an average thickness of 20-50 µm.
Because of the larger pores, the ITZ is characterized by the presence of larger crystals, particularly of
calcium hydroxide, than are found in the bulk paste (see Figure 2-17). The ITZ tends to be larger
around larger aggregate particles.
The ITZ has important effects on the properties of concrete, because it tends to act as the "weak link
in the chain" when compared to the bulk cement paste and the aggregate particles. Thus the lower
strength and stiffness of the ITZ translate directly into lower strength and stiffness values for concrete
as compared to cement paste. The total volume of ITZ in a concrete increases with the total amount
of large aggregate and with the average size of the aggregate, which explains why the strength is
observed to decrease with both of these parameters. The ITZ is also more permeable than the bulk
paste, due to its higher porosity. In most concretes the ITZs are linked (percolated), creating a
continuous high-permeability phase across the structure. As a result, the permeability of concrete can
be 1000 times greater than that of the pure cement paste it contains. The durability of concrete is
inversely related to the permeability, as most damage mechanisms involve the diffusion of reactive
ions into the concrete to attack either the cement paste or the steel reinforcement.
As summary of ITZ:
 ITZ is a zone between the aggregate and bulk paste and 30 to 50 µm in thickness
 ITZ has a major impact on the strength and permeability of concrete
 Generally weaker than either the paste or aggregate due to locally high w/c and the “wall
effect” (packing problems) – in some cases predominately large crystals of calcium hydroxide
and ettringite are oriented perpendicular to aggregate surface
 Greater porosity and few unhydrated cement grains
 Microcracking commonly exists in transition zone
 Results in shear-bond failure and interconnected macro-porosity, which influences
permeability
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 Modification of transition zone is key to improving concrete

Figure 2-17. Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ)

2.7 References

European Standard EN 197-1, (2000). Cement - Part 1:. Composition, specifications and conformity
criteria for common cements
Finnsementti’s construction cements are blast-furnace. Online
at:http://www.finnsementti.fi/en/cement/quality/cement-standard
Gomes, J. (1997). Mathematical models for assessing hydration and microstructure of cement pastes.
Doctoral Thesis. C.E.M.U. (Civil Engineering Materials Unit) Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Leeds.
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Gomes, J. (1997). Mathematical models for assessing hydration and microstructure of cement pastes.
Doctoral Thesis. C.E.M.U. (Civil Engineering Materials Unit) Department of Civil Engineering,
The University of Leeds
IMCP (Integrated Materials and Construction Practices for Concrete Pavement) Technical Summary
4a. Cement Hydration ; The Basics. Online at: http://www.cptechcenter.org/technical-
library/documents/imcp/tech_summaries/4a%20Hydration%20Basics.pdf
Jeff Thomas and Hamlin Jennings, (2008) The Science of Concrete. Northwestern University, Evanston,
IL. Online at: http://iti.northwestern.edu/cement/index.html
John Newman, B S Choo (2003). Advanced Concrete Technology 2: Concrete Properties. Butterworth-
Heinemann, 2003.
K. van Brellge/ (1992). Numerical Simulation of Hydration and Microstructural Development in
Hardening Cement-Based Materials. Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University of
Technology. HERON, Vol. 37.
K. van Brellge/ (1992). Numerical Simulation of Hydration and Microstructural Development in
Hardening Cement-Based Materials. Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University of
Technology. HERON, Vol. 37.
Kimberly Kurtis, Portland Cement Hydration – Lecture notes. School of Civil Engineering. Georgia
Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia. Online at:
http://people.ce.gatech.edu/~kk92/hyd07.pdf
Kimberly Kurtis. Structure of the Hydrated Cement Paste – Lecture notes. School of Civil Engineering,
Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia. Online at:
http://people.ce.gatech.edu/~kk92/hcp.pdf
Michael S. Mamlouk and John P. Zaniewski, (2011). Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers, 3rd
Edition: Chapter 6 - PORTLAND CEMENT, MIXING WATER, AND ADMIXTURES
PCA – Portland Cement Association. Ettringite Formation and the Performance of Concrete. Online at:
http://www.cement.org/docs/default-source/fc_concrete_technology/is417-ettringite-
formation-and-the-performance-of-concrete.pdf?sfvrsn=2
SFS-EN 197-1 Sementti. Osa 1: Tavallisten sementtien koostumus, laatuvaatimukset ja
vaatimustenmukaisuus
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Appendix 1 - Cement types and Finnish cements

In Europe, cements are covered by the standard EN 197-1 (composition, specifications and conformity
criteria) (8). The standard divides the common cements into 5 main types (9), as follows:
Table 2-4. Designation, notation, ans composition of main types of common cement (EN 197-1).
Composition (%, by mass)
Notation Type
Clinker (%) Other main constituent rather than clinker
CEM I Portland cement 95 - 100 -
Portland Composite Up to 35% of an addition (different sub-classification,
CEM II 65-94
cements see Table 2-6
CEM III Blast furnace cement 5-64 36 – 95% blast furnace slag
11 – 65% of pozzolanic materials (of one type or
CEM IV Pozzolan cement 45-89
mixture of several types)
Mixture of: 18 - 50% of blast furnace slag and 18 – 50%
CEM V Composite cement 20-64
of natural pozzolan and/or fly ash.
In accordance with EN 197-1, cement is also categorized by strength class as well as cement type, and
these categories are shown in Table 2-5, where there are minimum limits to early-age strength and
limits for 28-day strength.

Table 2-5. Requirements for standard strength and early strength

Compressive strength [MPa]
Strength Initial setting time
Early strength Standard strength
class [min]
2 days 7 days 28 days
32,5 N - ≤16,0
≥ 32,5 ≤ 52,5 ≥ 75
32,5 R ≥ 10,0 -
42,5 N ≥ 10,0 -
≥ 42,5 ≤ 62,5 ≥ 60
42,5 R ≥ 20,0 -
52,5 N ≥ 20,0 -
≥ 52,5 - ≥ 45
52,5 R ≥ 30,0 -

8
EN 197-1: Cement. Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements
9
http://www.finnsementti.fi/en/cement/quality/cement-standard
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Table 2-6. Common cement products according to EN 197-1:2000

Major components

components
Main Portland Pozzolanes Fly ashes

Minor
Cement Silica Burnt
cement Designation cement Slag High High Limestone
type dust Natural Artificial shale
type clinker silica lime
K S D1 P Q V W T L2 LL3
CEM I Portland cement CEM I 95-100 - - - - - - - - - 0-5
Portland slag CEM II/A-S 80-94 6-20 - - - - - - - - 0-5
cement CEM II/B-S 65-79 21-35 - - - - - - - - 0-5
Portland silica
CEM II/A-D 90-94 - 6-10 - - - - - - - 0-5
dust cement
CEM II/A-P 80-94 - - 6-20 - - - - - - 0-5
Portland CEM II/B-P 65-79 - - 21-35 - - - - - - 0-5
pozzolan cement CEM II/A-Q 80-94 - - - 6-20 - - - - - 0-5
CEM II/B-Q 65-79 - - - 21-35 - - - - - 0-5
CEM II/A-V 80-94 - - - - 6-20 - - - - 0-5
Portland fly ash CEM II/B-V 65-79 - - - - 21-35 - - - - 0-5
CEM II cement CEM II/A-W 80-94 - - - - - 6-20 - - - 0-5
CEM II/B-W 65-79 - - - - - 21-35 - - - 0-5
Portland shale CEM II/A-T 80-94 - - - - - - 6-20 - - 0-5
cement CEM II/B-T 65-79 - - - - - - 21-35 - - 0-5
CEM II/A-L 80-94 - - - - - - - 6-20 - 0-5
Portland
CEM II/B-L 65-79 - - - - - - - 21-35 - 0-5
limestone
CEM II/A-LL 80-94 - - - - - - - - 6-20 0-5
cement
CEM II/B-LL 65-79 - - - - - - - - 21-35 0-5
Portland CEM II/A-M 80-94 < -------------------------------------- 6-20 ----------------------------------------> 0-5
composite cem. CEM II/B-M 65-79 < -------------------------------------- 21-35 ---------------------------------------> 0-5
CEM III/A 35-64 36-65 - - - - - - - - 0-5
Blast furnace
CEM III CEM III/B 20-34 66-80 - - - - - - - - 0-5
cement
CEM III/C 5-19 81-95 - - - - - - - - 0-5
Pozzolan CEM IV/A 65-89 - 11-35 - - - 0-5
CEM IV
cement CEM IV/B 45-64 - 36-55 - - - 0-5
Composite CEM V/A 40-64 18-30 - 18-30 - - - - 0-5
CEM V
cement CEM V/B 20-39 31-50 - 31-50 - - - - 0-5

1
The silica dust content is limited to 10 %.
2
Total organic carbon (TOC) must not exceed 0.2 % by weight.
3
Total organic carbon (TOC) must not exceed 0.5 % by weight.
 CIV-E2020 Concrete technology (5 cr) (31/31)

Table 2-7. Example of the cement naming according to the cement standard SFS-EN 197-1(10).

CEM II/A-LL 42,5 R

CEM II A-LL 42,5 R
Cement notation “Type: Portland Main additive of Portland limestone standard strength ≥ 42.5 MPa and ≤
Composite Cement”, see Table 2-4 cement is limestone (code LL) a total 62.5 MPa early strength 2d ≥ 20 MPa,
of 6–20% (code A), see Table 2-6 see Table 2-5
Finnsementti Oy (11) is a Finnish cement manufacturer since year 1914. Most of the cement needed in
Finland is manufactured in Finnsementti’s works in Parainen and Lappeenranta. Finnsementti’s
cement assortment includes Plus cement, Yleis-(general) cement, Rapid cement, Pika-(quick) cement,
Mega cement, SR cement, and Valko-(white) cement.
Plus cement: Normally hardening Portland composite cement, CEM II/B-M (SLL) 42,5N. Plus cement is
used in general construction purposes (most buildings, bridges, pavements, precast units, etc). Plus
cement includes 15 - 25 % blast furnace slag.
Yleis (General) cement: Normally hardening Portland composite cement, CEM II A-M (SLL) 42,5N.
Yleis (General) cement is also used for all general construction purposes. Yleis (General) cement
includes 3 – 14 % blast furnace slag.
Rapid cement: Rapidly hardening Portland composite cement CEM II/A-LL 42,5R. The hardening rate
depends of the cement fineness. The rapid cement is used in rapid construction, cold weather
concreting and precast concreting. The Rapid cement includes 0 - 5 % blast furnace slag.
Pika (Quick) cement: Very fast hardening Portland cement CEM I 52,5R. Pika-cement is used in rapid
construction when the form work is removed quickly. Pika-cement is also used for high and ultra-high
strength concretes.
Mega-cement: Fast hardening Portland cement CEM I 42,5R. Mega cement is used in ready mixed
concrete productions and the industrial pre-cast concrete productions.
SR-cement: Sulfate resistance Portland cement CEM I 42,5N SR3. SR-cement is used in structures
exposed to high levels of sulfate ions as: harbors constructions, waste water systems, dams,
underground water pipes, foundations, sewers, irrigation canals and treatment plants. it is
appropriate cement for using at the structures that require resistance against chemical effects such as
sea water and sulfate environments
Valko (white) cement: White cement is normally hardening Portland cement CEM I 52,5R. White
cement is used in architectural works requiring great brightness and artistic finishes, to create
mosaics and artificial granite, and for sculptural casts and other applications where white prevails.

10
SFS-EN 197-1 Sementti. Osa 1: Tavallisten sementtien koostumus, laatuvaatimukset ja vaatimustenmukaisuus
11
Finnsementti Oy In Englis - http://www.finnsementti.fi/en