Effect of silica fume and fly ash on heat of hydration of Portland cement

Results of calorimeter tests on Portland cement–silica fume–fly ash mixtures are presented. Data indicate that silica fume accelerates cement hydration at high water/cementitious ratios and retards hydration at low water/cementitious ratios. On the other hand, fly ash retards cement hydration more significantly at high water/cementitious ratios. When silica fume and fly ash are added together with cement, the reactivity of the silica fume is hampered and the hydration of the cementitious system is significantly retarded.