Simulating hydration of cement paste based on a kinetics model modified by nanoindentation modulus

This paper presents a kinetics model that describes the hydration of cement paste. The kinetics model extends an earlier version by linking the diffusion coefficients in the model and the nanoindentation modulus of calcium silicate hydrate gel that occurs owing to the relationship between the diffusivity and porosity of calcium silicate hydrate gel and the relation of the porosity of calcium silicate hydrate gel to its indentation modulus. Using the modified model, this paper predicts the hydration degree of cement paste at different curing temperatures, different water to cement ratios and different curing conditions. The agreement between model predictions and experimental results demonstrates that the modified model is quite effective, especially for the study of the effects of temperature, water to cement ratio and curing conditions on the hydration kinetics of cement paste.