Aitcin P.-C. Binders for Durable and Sustainable Concrete

Taylor & Francis, Abingdon, UK, 2008, 500 pages, ISBN10: 0–415–38588–1Modern Concrete Technology SeriesLinking theory to practice, this book provides a better fundamental understanding of Portland cement and hydraulic binders which is necessary to make better concrete. It has been clearly demonstrated that concrete durability is closely linked to its water/binder ratio and proper curing during the first week after casting.Presently the cement industry is evolving relatively quickly, which is quite unusual for a commodity industry known for its resistance to change. This evolution results from the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, the focus given to sustainability, globalization and, more recently, for a third time, a
drastic increase in the price of fuels. It takes such tremors to see such a commodity industry engage itself in radical moves in a short period of time. It seems that the time of the comfortable slow path of change is over.Portland cement no longer reigns as the absolute king of the cement market; it has to share its prevalent position with all kinds of blended cements made with more or less well known but often ill defined supplementary cementitious materials. Blended cements are now being promoted after a long period during which, in some parts of the world, they were tolerated or ignored, if not strongly resisted.Binders and concrete of yesterday
The hydraulic binders and concrete industries at the beginning of the twenty-first century
The chemical and phase composition of Portland cement
Production of Portland cement
Portland cement hydration
Admixtures
Cementitious materials other than Portland cement: supplementary cementitious materials, mineral components Portland cement additions
Special Portland cements and other types of hydraulic binder
The art and science of high-performance concrete
The development of the cement and concrete industries within a sustainable development policy
Cements of yesterday and today, concretes of tomorrow
My vision of clinkers and binders