Cement and Concrete Chemistry

This monograph describes cement clinker formation. It covers multicomponent systems, clinker phase structures and their reactions with water, hydrate composition and structure, as well as their physical properties. The mineral additions to cement are described as are their influence on cement-paste properties. Special cements are also discussed. The microstructure of concrete is then presented, and special emphasis is given to the role of the interfacial transition zone, and the corrosion processes in the light of cement-phase composition, mineral additions and w/c ratio. The admixtures' role in modern concrete technology is described with an emphasis on superplasticizer chemistry and its cement-paste rheological modification mechanism. Cement with atypical properties, such as calcium aluminate, white, low energy and expansive cements are characterized. The last part of the book is devoted to special types of concrete such as self compacting and to reactive powders.

Cement Kinds and Principles of their Classification.- Portland Cement Clinker.- Hydration of Clinker Phases.- Cement Hydration.- The Properties of Cement Paste.- Concrete Properties.- Mineral Additions for Cement Production.- Hydration of Cements with Mineral Additions.- Special Cements.- New Concretes.

Wieslaw Kurdowski is an experienced scientist who started his career as an assistant at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow and then at the Institute of Building Materials in Opole, where after receiving his doctor’s degree, he was appointed deputy director for scientific affairs. After being granted the title of assistant professor he returned to the AGH University of Science and Technology as director of the Institute of Building and Refractory Materials. At that time he was appointed full professor. Wieslaw Kurdowski is a world-famous expert in the field of cement and concrete chemistry. Among others he was a member of the Scientific Committees of the International Congresses on Cement Chemistry in Paris, Rio de Janeiro and New Delhi. At these congresses he was the invited speaker of plenary presentations. Wieslaw Kurdowski is the author of three books in Polish as well as of several chapters in multi-author books published by Pergamon Press, Applied Science Publishers, ABI Books and E& EN Spon. He is the author of 231 papers. For 40 years he has been the Chief Editor of the Polish journal “Cement Lime Concrete”.