The difference among the effects of high-temperature curing on the early hydration properties of different cementitious systems

The difference among the effects of high-temperature curing on the early hydration properties of the pure cement, the binder containing fly ash, the binder containing GGBS, and the binder containing steel slag was investigated by determining the compressive strength, non-evaporable water content, hydration heat, and Ca(OH)₂ content. Results show that the order of the influence degrees of high-temperature on the early hydration of different binders is the binder containing GGBS > the binder containing steel slag > the binder containing fly ash > the pure cement. In the case of short period of high-temperature curing (only 1 day), the strength growth rate of the concrete containing GGBS is the greatest. Though the influence of increasing high-temperature curing period on the hydration degree of the binder containing fly ash is not the most significant, the strength growth rate of the concrete containing fly ash is the most significant due to the excessive consumption of Ca(OH)₂ by reaction of fly ash. In the case of high-temperature curing, the Ca(OH)₂ content of the paste containing steel slag is much higher than those of the paste containing GGBS and the paste containing fly ash, so though high-temperature curing promotes the hydration of the binder containing steel slag significantly, its influence on the strength growth rate of the concrete containing steel slag is not so significant.