Cement T5 Theory

ENGINEERING MATERIALS
SETTING/HARDENING OF CEMENT & RCC/PCC
THEORY
Setting and Hardening

The setting and hardening of cement are mainly due to
heat of hydration and hydrolysis reactions taking place
when the different constitutional compounds in the
cement, interact with water. It is agreed that, setting and
hardening of cement are essentially due to the formation
of interlocking crystals reinforced by the hydration and
hydrolysis of the constitutional compounds. When cement
is mixed with adequate quantity of water, plastic mass is
formed, known as cement paste. Hydration reaction takes
place with the formation of gel and crystalline products.
The interlocking of crystals finally bind the inert particles of
the aggregates. The process of solidification consist of :
1. Setting of cement
2. Hardening of cement
1. Setting:
Setting is defined as stiffening of the original plastic
mass, due to initial gel formation and hardening is
development of strength of crystallization. The strength
developed by cement paste at any time depends upon
1
the
amount
of
gel
formed
and
the
THEORY
extent
of
crystallization. Initial setting of cement paste is mainly

due to tricalcium aluminate (3 ), since its reaction is
completed within a week. The following reaction takes
place.
3. 2 3 + 62
3. 2 3 . 62 + 860/.
3 + 62 3 . 62 + 880/
Tricalcium aluminate
Hydrated tricalcium aluminate
The gel of a aluminates begins to crystallize and at the

same time dicalcium silicate (2 ) begins to hydrate in 7
to 28 days. Thus, the initial set of cement is due to the
formation by aluminate. The reaction is:
2[2. 2 ] + 42
3. 62 + ()2 + 250/.
22 + 42 3 2 . 62 + ()2 + 250/
Dicalcium silicate
Tobermonite gel Crystalled

calcium hydroxide
2. Final setting and hardening

Hardening
is
development
of
strength
due
to
crystallization. After setting, hardening starts, due to the

gradual process of crystallization in the interior of the
2
THEORY
mass. The gel formed in this reactions, shrink with

passage of time and leave some capillaries for the
water to come in contact with (2 ) to undergo further
hydration
and
hydrolysis
reactions
enabling
the
development of greater strength over a length of time.
RCC and PCC

Cement cannot be used for construction activities directly
because it is sensitive to moisture. The internal stresses
developed in cement lead to cracking and reduction in its
strength. Cement is generally mixed with sand and
crushed stones, which are bound together by cement such
mixture is called as Concrete.
Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand and coarse

materials, with water. (Commonly used are crushed rock,
natural gravel, crushed brick, cinders or blast furnace
slag).
Reinforced cement concrete (RCC) is the ordinary

concrete reinforced with steel rods or heavy wire mesh. It
is said that the average life of RCC structure is upto 100
years theoretically. The concrete on setting bonds very
strongly with the reinforcements giving high compressive
and tensile strengths.Even if cracks develop in the
3
THEORY
concrete, considerable reinforcement i.e. strength is

maintained.
Steel is used as reinforcement because its coefficient of
thermal expansion is nearly the same as that of concrete.
Further, steel has corrosion resistance in the cement
environment. Steel is also good in tension.
Hence The RCC as a whole is good in tension as well as

compression.
Advantages of RCC:
1. It is durable
2. It has negligible maintenance cost
3. RCC structures are practically impervious to
moisture.
4. RCC structures can be easily moulded into any
shape
such
as
underground
water
tanks,
staircases, beams and pillars

5. RCC work is relatively fire resistant
6. RCC structures do not decay or rot and are not
attacked by termites
7. RCC structures are weather resistant.
THEORY
P.C.C. is Plain Cement Concrete - this is used for

providing a firm and level base to any foundation, flooring
or under any other load bearing component of a structure.
it is done to provide a hard and level surface against the
soft and undulation soil below RCC foundation

Cement T5 Theory

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ENGINEERING MATERIALS

SETTING/HARDENING OF CEMENT & RCC/PCC

Setting and Hardening

SETTING/HARDENING OF CEMENT & RCC/PCC

crystallization. Initial setting of cement paste is mainly

Hydrated tricalcium aluminate

The gel of a aluminates begins to crystallize and at the

Tobermonite gel Crystalled

2. Final setting and hardening

crystallization. After setting, hardening starts, due to the

SETTING/HARDENING OF CEMENT & RCC/PCC

mass. The gel formed in this reactions, shrink with

development of greater strength over a length of time.

RCC and PCC

Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand and coarse

Reinforced cement concrete (RCC) is the ordinary

SETTING/HARDENING OF CEMENT & RCC/PCC

concrete, considerable reinforcement i.e. strength is

Hence The RCC as a whole is good in tension as well as

staircases, beams and pillars

SETTING/HARDENING OF CEMENT & RCC/PCC

P.C.C. is Plain Cement Concrete - this is used for

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