Abstract: This paper deals with the hydration of a blend of Portland cement and activated coal gangue in order to determine the relationship between the degree of hydration and compressive strength development. The hydration process was investigated by various means: isothermal calorimetry, thermal analysis, non-evaporable water measurement, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that the activated coal gangue is a pozzolanic material that contributes to the hydration of the cement blend. The pozzolanic reaction occurs over a period of between 7 and 90 d, consuming portlandite and forming both crystal hydrates and ill-crystallized calcium silicate hydrates. These hydrates are similar to those found in pure Portland cement. The results show that if activated coal gangue is substituted for cement at up to 30% (w/w), it does not significantly affect the final compressive strength of the blend. A long-term compressive strength improvement can in fact be achieved by using activated coal gangue as a supplementary cementing material. The relationship between compressive strength and degree of hydration for both pure Portland cement and blended cement can be described with the same equation. However, the parameters are different since blended cement produces fewer calcium silicate hydrates than pure Portland cement at the same degree of hydration.

Key words: Activated coal gangue, Portland cement, Blended cement, Hydration, Strength

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