Whether prolongedtorage increase heat of hydration
Answers
the degree and rate of hydration or heat rate development affects the risk of cracking and higher or lower strength. Besides, mass concrete is directly affected by hydration heat. If the ambient temperature is above (High pressure high temperature steam curing which is autoclaving) 100-150 degrees celcius at early curing ages, the CSH also may transforms to a crystal structure which leads to decrease in ultimate mechanical properties (long term) . The heat of hydration depends on the type and fineness of cement and the temperature is needed for the development of hydration but heat hydration contributes to the curing temperature, it may not lead to crytal CSH forms which does not have binding or strength gaining property but it definetly causes to evaporation of free water in capillar pores thus, increases drying shrinkage. Consequently, I would like to say we jave to control the hydration rate and the amount of hydration heat to optimize the fresh and hardened concrete properties.