PROGRAMMABLE CEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Concrete is a stone-like material obtained by permitting a carefully proportioned

mixture of cement, sand and gravel or other aggregate, and water to harden in forms

of the shape and dimensions of the desired structure. The bulk of the material consists

of fine and coarse aggregate. Cement and water interact chemically in a process

called hydration to bind the aggregate particle into solid mass. Hydration is a chemical

reaction in which the major compounds in cement form chemical bonds with water

molecules and become hydrates or hydration products. The water needs to be pure in

order to prevent side reactions from occurring which may weaken the concrete or

otherwise interfere with the hydration process. The role of water is important because

the water to cement ratio is the most critical factor in the production of a perfect

concrete. Too much water reduces concrete strength, while too little will make the

concrete unworkable. Chemical admixtures can be added before or during mixing to

achieve varied properties. These ingredients may accelerate or slow down the rate at

which the concrete hardens, and impart many other useful properties including

increased tensile strength, entrainment of air and water resistance.

Cements used in construction are usually inorganic in nature and can be characterized

as being hydraulic or non-hydraulic, depending upon the ability of the cement to set in

the presence of water. Non-hydraulic cement will not set in wet conditions or

underwater, rather it sets as it dries and reacts with carbon dioxide in the air. It is

resistant to attack by chemicals after setting. Hydraulic cements set and become

adhesive due to a chemical reaction between the dry ingredients and water. The

chemical reaction results in mineral hydrates that are not very water-soluble and so
are quite durable in water and safe from chemical attack. This allows setting in wet

condition or underwater and further protects the hardened material from chemical

attack.

Cement or Portland Cement commonly consists of five major compounds and a few

minor compounds. The composition of a typical Portland cement is listed by weight

percentage in the table below:

Cement Compound Weight Percentage

1. Tricalcium silicate 50%
2. Dicalcium silicate 25%
3. Tricalcium aluminate 10%
4. Tetracalcium aluminoferrite 10%
5. Gypsum 5%

Table 1: Composition of Portland cement with

chemical composition and weight percent

When water is added to cement, each of the compounds undergoes hydration and

contributes to the final concrete product. Only the calcium silicates contribute to

strength. Tricalcium silicate is responsible for most of the early strength (first seven

days). Dicalcium silicate, which reacts more slowly, contributes only to the strength at

later times. Upon the addition of water, tricalcium silicate rapidly reacts to release

calcium ions, hydroxide ions, and a large amount of heat. The pH quickly rises to over

12 because of the release of alkaline hydroxide (OH) ions. This initial hydrolysis slows

down quickly after it starts resulting in a decrease in heat evolved. The reaction slowly

continues producing calcium and hydroxide ions until the system becomes saturated.

Once this occurs, the calcium hydroxide starts to crystallize. Simultaneously, calcium

silicate hydrate begins to form. Ions precipitate out of solution accelerating the reaction

of tricalcium silicate to calcium and hydroxide ions. (Le Chatlier's principle). The

evolution of heat is then dramatically increased. The formation of the calcium

hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate crystals provide "seeds" upon which more

calcium silicate hydrate can form. The calcium silicate hydrate crystals grow thicker

making it more difficult for water molecules to reach the unhydrated tricalcium silicate.

The speed of the reaction is now controlled by the rate at which water molecules

diffuse through the calcium silicate hydrate coating. This coating thickens over time

causing the production of calcium silicate hydrate to become slower and slower. The

hydration will continue as long as water is present and there are still unhydrated

compounds in the cement paste.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CEMENT PRODUCTION

Construction industry is one of the leaders in deterioration of environment by depleting

resources and consuming energy or creation of waste. Also a considerable amount of

emissions of greenhouse and acidifying gasses has the origin in construction industry.

Cement belongs to the most often used construction materials and its production is

increasing over the world. The main environmental issues associated with cement

production are consumption of raw materials and energy use as well as emission to

air. Waste water discharge is usually limited to surface run off which greatly contributes

to water pollution. The storage and handling of fuels is a potential source of

contamination of soil and groundwater. Additionally, the environment can be affected

by noise and odors. The key polluting substances emitted to air are dust, carbon

oxides, nitrogen oxides and Sulphur oxide.