Studying the hydration kinetics and mechanical-microstructural properties of Portland cements made with and without dredged sediment: experimental and numerical approaches

Abstract

This research focused on two objectives: (i) investigating the impacts of sediment substitution in the raw meal on the hydration and mechanical-microstructural properties of cement; (ii) assessing the reliability of CEMHYD3D code for modeling the properties of hydrated cement. The experimental results indicated that a maximum rate of sediment up to 7.55% had no impact on the formation of mineralogical phases of clinker, the hydration and mechanical-microstructural development of cement. The degree of hydration and strengths of cement made of sediment substitution were slightly higher than those of reference cement, whereas the critical diameter of pores of both hydrated cements was nearly identical. Comparing the modeling results with the experimental measurements showed good predictions for the degree of hydration, hydration heat as well as strength development. However, the formation of hemi-and mono-carboaluminate phases was not predicted in the model, and the porosity prediction was also limited to the capillary porosity.