IJESR/ICRIT-IV/ Special Issue/ Article No-4/15-20 ISSN 2277-2685

International Journal of Engineering & Science Research

EFFECTS OF CEMENT PREHYDRATION ON CONCRETE PROPERTIES

Ma’aruf A*1, Nuruddeen MM2, Mukhtar HK2
1
Department of Civil Engineering, Noida International University, India.
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil Kano State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT
This research studies the effect of cement prehydration due to storage on the properties of concrete. A sample
of cement was obtained from the company and has not been subjected to storage. The following test where
carried out on the cement and concrete after 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of storage: Initial and Final setting time,
Soundness test, Workability test, Compressive strength and density of test. Based on the results both initial and
final setting times were found to be increasing with increase in days of storage. Soundness test indicate that
expansion of cement paste were found to be constant throughout the storage. However, the workability
decreases due to increase in days of storage. Also, Compressive strength of concrete decreases with increase in
days of storage. Lastly, the Density of concrete increases with increase in days of storage. Since the compressive
strength is the most important property of concrete and were found to be decreasing with increase in days of
storage, we can conclude that to obtain maximum compressive strength of concrete, using fresh cement is better
than using cement that has been stored for a long period of time

Keywords: Cement; Prehydration; setting times; compressive strength, cement storage.

1. INTRODUCTION
Prehydration is the reaction of cement with water vapour in air, leading to partial hydration and carbonation on
the surface of the cement [1]. The factors affecting the degree of prehydration include the temperature, the
relative humidity, time of exposure and particle fineness [2]. Portland cements exhibit an ageing history between
their production and their use as binders in mortars or concretes. They undergo some prehydration during their
manufacturing process or during transportation and storage. The cement properties might have undergone some
changes due the various storage conditions and exposure to varying climatic conditions during the processes [3].
Any such unintentional reaction of the cement reduces the thermodynamic driving force for its subsequent
reactions with liquid water, and the resultant loss of reactivity typically manifests as undesirable reductions in
the rate of hardening and strength gain of concrete [4].
The most important physical properties of cement such as workability, setting behavior, strength development
and durability are related to the cement hydration process, in which the material quality plays a decisive role.
Prehydration is known to reduce cement reactivity, but despite the widespread use of cement, a fundamental
understanding is lacking with regard to its interaction with water vapor and atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Furthermore, the knowledge of very early cement hydration and related analytical methods is still limited [1, 5].
The aim of this research is to determine the effects of cement prehydration due to storage time on the concrete
properties.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Materials
Cement
The cement used in conducting this research was ordinary Portland cement produced by Dangote cement
company plc of grade 42.5. This complied with CEM II of [6] Part 1.

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Fine Aggregate
River sand was used as fine aggregate, it is clean, sharp and free from clay, loam, dirt and any other deleterious
materials. The fine aggregate is dried so that water cement ratio would not be affected. Particle size distribution
testwas carried out on fine aggregates in accordance to[7]. Also, specific gravity test was carried out in
accordance with [8]
Coarse Aggregate
Locally available crushed granite aggregates of nominal size 20 mm were used. Particle size distribution testwas
carried out in accordance to [9]. Also, specific gravity test was carried out in accordance with [8]
Water
The water used for the research was free from salt and other deleterious materials.
2.2 Methods
To determine the effect of storage on the properties of concrete, a single bag of cement was used produce
concrete cubes for testing at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days. During storage, the cement was not given any special
treatment, it was only stored above the ground and the bag was tied as shown in Figure 1. This is to imitate the
storage conditions at sites. The concrete was designed to achieve a target compressive strength of 30 N/mm2 at
28 days using absolute volume mix design method. The following tests were carried out to investigate the
properties of concrete:
i. Consistency and setting time test of cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days.
ii. Soundness test of cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days.
iii. Slump test on the concrete at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days.
iv. Compressive strength and density tests on the concrete at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days.

Fig. 1: Cement Storage

2.2.1 Consistency and setting time tests
Consistency tests on the cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days were performed in accordance with [10]. Similarly,
Initial and final setting times tests were also performed at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days in accordance with [10]
2.2.2 Soundness test
Soundness tests were carried out on the cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days in accordance with [10]
2.2.3 Slump test
Slump tests were carried out on the fresh concrete made with the stored cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days in
accordance with in accordance [11]

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IJESR/ICRIT-IV/ Special Issue/ Article No-4/15-20 ISSN 2277-2685

2.2.4 Compressive strength test

Compressive strength tests were conducted on concrete made with the stored cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90. The
tests were performed on concrete cube specimens of sizes 150 x 150 x 150 mm. These cubes were prepared and
cured in water in accordance with [12] and tested at 7, 14 and 28 days in accordance with [12].
Furthermore, density tests were also conducted at the same days.

3. RESULT DISCUSSION
Particle size distribution of fine aggregate
The result of particle size distribution of fine aggregate is presented in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1: Particle size distribution of fine aggregate

From Figure 1, the fine aggregate falls into zone 2 of the BS 882. Hence the fine aggregate is suitable for
making concrete.
Particle size distribution of coarse aggregate
The result of particle size distribution of coarse aggregate is presented in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2: Particle size distribution of coarse aggregate

Figure 4.3 show the grading curve of coarse aggregate. From the curve, it is observed that the coarse aggregate
is uniformly distributed and well-graded which is suitable for making good concrete.
Specific Gravity
The results of specific gravity test of fine and coarse aggregate is presented in Table 4.1
Table 1: Specific gravity of fine and coarse aggregates
Specific gravity
Fine aggregate 2.57
Coarse aggregate 2.72
Setting Times
The result of initial and final setting time of cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days are shown in Figure 3.

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IJESR/ICRIT-IV/ Special Issue/ Article No-4/15-20 ISSN 2277-2685

Fig. 3: Initial and final setting time of cement at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days
After 30 days of storage, the initial and final setting times increases by 13% and 41% respectively. While, at 60
days of storage, the initial and final setting times increases by 52% and 84% respectively. And after 90 days of
storage, the initial and final setting times increases by 104% and 128% respectively.
Soundness Test
The result of soundness test at different duration is presented in Figure 4. From the figure, there was no change
in soundness over the period of storage. Which means that the expansion for 0 day 30 days 60 days and 90 days
remain constant.

0.6
EXPANSION (mm)

0.4

0.2

0
0 30 60 90
AGE OF STORAGE (days)

Fig. 4: Soundness test of cement paste

Slump Test
The result of slump variation at different duration is presented in Figure 5.

25
VARIATION IN SLUMP (mm)

20

15

10

0
0 30 60 90
AGE OF STORAGE (days)

Fig 5: Variation of workability

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It can be observed that the slump of concrete increases with increase in period of storage. As such, the
workability of the concrete was decreasing as a result of cement storage.
Compressive Strength
The result of compressive strength at different durations of cement storage is presented in Figure 6.

Fig. 6: Variation of Compressive strength test

The result shows that the compressive strength of concrete for is highest at initial stage (0 day of storage). The
compressive strength thereafter decreases with increase in period of storage. This can be attributed to loss of
reactivity due to prehydration of the cement. The compressive strength decreased by 15%, 28 % and 37% at 30,
60 and 90 days respectively.
Concrete Density
The result of concrete density at different duration presented in Figure 7 shows that density of concrete increases
as days of storage increases. The cement increased in weight is due to the prehydration. This phenomenon has
also been reported by [2].

2520
) 2500
3
m
/g 2480
k( 2460
0 day
Y
TI 2440 storag
S
N
E 2420 e
D 2400
2380
7 14 28

AGE oOF CURING (days)

Fig. 7: Variation for densities of concrete

CONCLUSION
The effect of storage on concrete properties were investigated, based on the experimental works, it can be
concluded that cement storage affects its reactivity due to prehydration; this in turn affects concrete properties
such as setting times, workability, density and most importantly compressive strength. It is therefore
recommended that cement should be used as soon as possible and storage should be avoided.

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REFERENCES
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[3] Lovel KM, Anniama C. Astudy of strength characteristics of ordinary portland cement due to storage.
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[9] BS.EN933-1. Determination of particle size distribution -sieving method. Britsh standarrd, London, 1997.

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[11] BS1881-102. Testing concrete. Method of normal curing of test specimens (20oc Method, British standard
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[12] B. 1881-111. Testing Concrete; Method for determination of compressive strength of concrete cubes.,
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[13] BS-EN196-3. Methods of Testing cement part -3; Determination of setting times and soundness, Brits
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[14] BS912-2. Testing aggreates. Methods for determination of density. British standard Institude, 389
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