Early-age properties of cement-based materials. I: Influence of cement fineness

The influence of cement fineness on early-age properties of cement-based materials is investigated using a variety of experimental techniques. Properties that are critical to the early-age performance of these materials are tested, including heat release, temperature rise, chemical shrinkage, and autogenous deformation. Measurements of these properties for two cements of widely different fineness are supplemented with other performance measures, specifically acoustic emission measurements to listen for microcracking occurring in high performance w/c=0.35 mortars and dual-ring paste shrinkage measurements conducted under sealed conditions to assess residual stress development. The measured properties are observed to be quite different for the coarse and the fine cement. The current emphasis on high early-age strength within the construction industry may result in the specification of cements that are more prone to early-age cracking.