LAUSR

Abstract This work was designed to investigate the hydration kinetics of C3S with portlandite and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). The hydration heat, T2 relaxation time and XRD of hydration products were determined to evaluate the hydration performance. C-S-H and CH present distinct influence on the early hydration of C3S. C-S-H facilitates early hydration of C3S, reduces the induction period and increases the hydration rate at 10 or 20 °C, but CH prolongs the induction period. Up to 30 and 40 °C, the induction period is not affected by C-S-H or CH. The catalytic effect was evaluated by activation energy. C-S-H has the catalytic effect on nucleation of hydration products but CH exploits the opposite effect. CH presents a positive effect on the structure development of hydration products to gain a denser skeleton before 10 h. Moreover, the Ca/Si ratio of hydration products is altered for the presents of CH and C-S-H.