Methods for determining hydration kinetics by chemical shrinkage and parameters influencing it

Abstract Measuring chemical shrinkage provides information about the development of hydration kinetics of cementitious materials. It is also related to the degree and heat of hydration. To determine chemical shrinkage, volume change caused by the hydration reactions in a sample of cement paste under saturation conditions is quantified. There are three methods to measure this shrinkage: dilatometry, gravimetry and picnometry. These experimental procedures require simple and inexpensive equipment. There are parameters that can influence the results, such as sample thickness, water/cement ratio, surface area of the sample, amount of water on the sample and cement composition. In this research, the methods for measuring chemical shrinkage in Portland cement pastes are detailed, as well as the parameters that influence the results.