The effects of high temperature curing on hydration reaction and strength development of cement paste containing silica fume at low water binder ratio

The effects of high temperature curing on hydration reaction and strength development of cement paste containing silica fume at low water binder ratio were examined. The evaluation yielded the following findings: 1. Compressive strength was increased when the curing temperature became high, and the optimal mix rates of silica fume for strength development differed according to the curing conditions. 2. The gel space ratio that was calculated from the phase composition based on absolute density could explain the compressive strength of 300N/mm2-class hardened cement paste. Therefore, it was suggested that compressive strength was governed by the macroscopic strength resulting from the pore volume of the whole space where a hydrate is generated. 3. Under high temperature curing, the hydration product of low Ca/Si molar ratio was generated and the density was low.