well the answer of your question is simply yes, the heat of hydration may cause cracking in cement or concrete especially if in mass concrete constructions: the rise of temperature in mass concrete due to progression in heat of hydration -- cause serious cracks. So it is important to limit the rate of heat evolution in this type of construction, by using the low heat cement. 

well the answer of your question is simply yes, the heat of hydration may cause cracking in cement or concrete especially if in mass concrete constructions: the rise of temperature in mass concrete due to progression in heat of hydration -- cause serious cracks. So it is important to limit the rate of heat evolution in this type of construction, by using the low heat cement. 

heat of hydration does not cause, per se, cracking. It develops mostly while concrete is fresh and unhardened. It may, however, cause the so called thermal strain during hardening. This has been known for many years. You can find one of the classic references on the topic in the link provided (Bazant, 1972). Good luck

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0029549372901240

heat of hydration effects to make diiferent degree between surface and inside of concrete, this changing makes thermal crack, so indirectly it causes to make crack not just because of heating

Sure, in the early hours after concrete setting, so in hot weather you need to use ice or cold water for concrete mix to reduce the effect of heat of hydration in developing plastic cracks not only on the surface of concrete mass but also deeper inside the mass itself.

Cracks are mostly due to shrinkage

I have observed development of cracks in pure cement (without ballast material) when hydrated, but only if there was not enough water on top of it. Always keep the cement under water during hydration to avoid such cracks.

Yes, heat of hydration can cause cracks in concrete and that is why fresh concrete after cast is always cured for some days to minimise the effect of hydration heat. Also, the introduction of steel fibre reinforced concrete is a great idea in proffering solutions to internal cracks in concrete due to hydration in concrete. 

As a previous answer states, the increase in temperature from hydration reactions usually occurs when the cement is still relatively plastic and damage is relatively minor. The main issue is that the cement or concrete will then cool down again, in a condition where it has now set and hardened to some extent. If unrestrained, cooling will lead to contraction, which may not be an issue. However, restraint will lead to the contraction to be translated into tensile stresses which, given that cement's tensile strength is low and the cement is immature, leads to cracking.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262389656_Assessment_of_early-age_autogenous_shrinkage_strains_in_concrete_using_bentonite_clay_as_internal_curing_technique

Article Assessment of early-age autogenous shrinkage strains in conc...

Save this factor another factors plays an important role.

the haet of hydration is responsible for crack formation in massive structure as a consequence of the thermal gradient between the outside and the inner part of the structure. Concrete is an insulating material, hence the the outside layers of the structure impedes heat dissipation. On the other hand the outside portion of the structures can dissipate easily heat. in order to avoid this problem thermal insulation is required.

if concrete structure is rigidly connected to a structure in equilibrium with ambient temperature thermal gradient between "young" and "old structure" is responsible for crack formation in this case reducing thermal gradienti between inner and outside part part of structure is not enough. You have to reduce the increase in temperature of concrete by using low cement factor concrete (increase max aggregate size and super plasticizer dosage) and low heat cement (CE III/B or III/C or CE V/B cement).

Heat of hydration can causes crack in massive structure, But for small structure or light-weight concrete construction you can avoid this hydration cracking. Moreover, heat of hydration is a environment loading crack like initial crack in mass structure. 

So, if you want to know it for research purpose, in Google Scholar you can find several research paper, but for construction work, you can avoid this type of crack.

Best Wishes! 

The heat of hydration by itself does NOT cause cracking. As a matter of fact, precast elements can go through as much as 70 C without any crack in the members. WHAT causes cracking is the 'thermal gradient'. So, if the heat in the inner part of concrete can not be dissipated, while the outer surface is cooled (for example causing a 20 C temperature difference), then there is a good chance you will have cracking in the concrete member. 

The heat of hydration cause cracking but depends on the type of material, the concrete/water ratio, and the chemical composition of material u used. Cracking occur when the deficient water evaporated from your concrete.

Generally, heat hydration is occur when u mix the concrete with water. Then, heat was release and this heat was known as heat of hydration. Thus, in my opinion, all of the factors as mentioned above may affected the hydration heat which can be led to cracking.