Hello dear researchers;

As it is well known that the main product that contribute to the improvement of the mechanical strength of cementitious materials is C-S-H gels, that is, the more gels are produced, the higher the possibility of improvements in the mechanical strength of the cementitious materials. The question is whether even the shapes or morphologies of hydration products such as portlandite (CH) affect mechanical strength.

If the shapes of Portlandite (CH) had a role in the mechanical improvements, is the smaller shape the one that brings about mechanical strength or vice versa?

Thank you,