Effect of Water Contents at Early Age on the Formation of Microstructures and Physical Properties of Cement Pastes

The microstructures formed by cement hydration affect the physical properties of hardened cement, such as strength and durability, and the cement hydration is influenced by the conditions at early age. When concrete structures are exposed to air i.e. drying conditions at early age, the water in the concrete evaporates from surface. After that, cement hydration is stopped due to lack of water for hydration. However we hope that cement can re-hydrate by replenishing water through rain, re-curing and changing humidity. After re-hydration, we hope to recover the strength and durability. In this research, the effect of cement hydration and physical properties in view of microstructure on changing the condition on early age is evaluated. And it is aimed to make a model of microstructure development on re-supplying water.