CVL533: Assignment 2

Question 1:
1) Bridge deck in Toronto: General use Portland Cement.
It can be used for all structures with no specified conditions
given.
2) Concrete foundations that has very high sulphate: SulphateResistant Portland Cement.
It is for concrete exposed to severe sulphate conditions. So, it
has high resistance to sulphate. (Underground with lower early
strength)
3) Gravity dam on a river: Water-proofed Portland Cement.
The dam will continuously be in touch with water hence water
may severely affect it (freezing and thawing, absorption and
cracking). So, water proof cement should be used.
4) High rise building with high early strength: High-early strength
Portland Cement.
It has short curing time, early form removal and high early
strength.

Question 2:
1) Fineness of Portland cement: fineness means high surface area so,
faster reaction, higher strength and higher heat of hydration.
2) Amount of C3S in Portland cement: It makes concrete have early
strength and high heat of hydration.
3) Amount of C4AF in Portland cement: It does not contribute to
strength development and has low heat of hydration.

Question 3:
Heat of Hydration
Strength
Development
Amount of Ca(OH)2
liberated during
hydration

C2 S
Low
Late strength (beyond
7 days)
Less (1 mole of
Ca(OH)2)
2C2S + 4H
C3S2H3
+ Ca(OH)2

C3 S
High
Early strength
More (3 moles of
Ca(OH2)
2C3S + 6H
C3S2H3 + 3Ca(OH)2

Question 4:

Because clinkers harden right away after adding water to it (flash

set).
So, gypsum is added to prevent flash set.

When gypsum is added, sulphur goes to

aluminium and forms Ettringite
(C6AS3H32).
Ettringite allows water to get in at a slower
rate and hence prevent flash set.

Question 5:
i.

w/c on degree of hydration

As the w/c ratio increases, the

cement becomes more hydrated
so the degree of hydration

increases.

ii.

w/c on capillary porosity

As the w/c ratio increases, the

concrete is more likely to have
pores in it, so the capillary
porosity increases. However, the
increase of capillary porosity due
to the increase in w/c ratio is
slow.

Question 6:
Hydraulic reaction: It is the reaction with water to produce hydration
products.
Pozzolanic reaction: It is the reaction with Ca(OH)2 at the presence of
alkaline solution, to form hydration products.
Supplementary Cementing Materials fill up the capillaries of the
concrete and hence reduce permeability.
Fly ash and slag reduce the water demand of concrete and hence
reduce its permeability to water.
Reduce the potential for thermal cracking and hence reduce the
chance of any material to enter the concrete so, permeability is
reduced.