Session Details
[Doctoral School]Doctoral School/Prof. Thomas Matschei (Cement hydration, SCMs)
Sun. Sep 27, 2026 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM JST
Sun. Sep 27, 2026 1:45 AM - 3:00 AM UTC
Sun. Sep 27, 2026 1:45 AM - 3:00 AM UTC
HASEKO-KUMA Hall(Engineering Bldg11)
Prof. Thomas Matschei
TU Braunschweig
Lecture:
Hydration and Carbonation of Modern Cements – A Thermodynamic Perspective
Decarbonizing concrete relies on fundamentally redesigning modern cements through changing its mineralogy by the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This will lead to the formation of complex phase assemblages which can be assessed with tools such as thermodynamic modelling. This lecture provides a detailed thermodynamic framework to explore the coupled processes of hydration and mineral carbonation in low-clinker binder systems.
Beginning with the relationship between cement mineralogy and sustainability, the role of SCMs in altering phase development and chemical equilibria is examined. Core thermodynamic principles governing phase stability are applied to evaluate the carbonation susceptibility of key anhydrous phases—including alite, belite, aluminate, ferrite, as well as reactive SCMs and hydrate phases. By evaluating mass and volume balances alongside pore solution evolution, the impact of hydration and carbonation on phase assemblages and microstructural space is traced. Finally, the dynamic competition between hydration and carbonation kinetics is discussed, offering a qualitative and quantitative baseline for phase prediction and material design in modern cementitious systems.
TU Braunschweig
Lecture:
Hydration and Carbonation of Modern Cements – A Thermodynamic Perspective
Decarbonizing concrete relies on fundamentally redesigning modern cements through changing its mineralogy by the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This will lead to the formation of complex phase assemblages which can be assessed with tools such as thermodynamic modelling. This lecture provides a detailed thermodynamic framework to explore the coupled processes of hydration and mineral carbonation in low-clinker binder systems.
Beginning with the relationship between cement mineralogy and sustainability, the role of SCMs in altering phase development and chemical equilibria is examined. Core thermodynamic principles governing phase stability are applied to evaluate the carbonation susceptibility of key anhydrous phases—including alite, belite, aluminate, ferrite, as well as reactive SCMs and hydrate phases. By evaluating mass and volume balances alongside pore solution evolution, the impact of hydration and carbonation on phase assemblages and microstructural space is traced. Finally, the dynamic competition between hydration and carbonation kinetics is discussed, offering a qualitative and quantitative baseline for phase prediction and material design in modern cementitious systems.