Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world after water. Although the performance of concrete is generally described on the macroscale, it essentially depends on the nanoscale structure of the hydration products of the cementitious binder. In other words, if the nanoscale properties of cement hydration products are fully understood, the macroscopic performance of cement will also be well assessed. The nanoscale insight into the hydration products of cementitious materials can be regarded as the outpost of Nano-Engineering. The familiar macroscopic performance of concrete is often classified as mechanical, durability, and workability. Corresponding to one macroscopic performance with one or several nanoscale properties is the first concern of “nanoscale insight”. Meanwhile, identifying the types of hydration products of different kinds of cementitious materials is also a concern of “nanoscale insight”. The ultimate goal of “nanoscale insight” is hopefully nanoscale design, which transforms the traditional relationship flow of raw materials-performance into the relationship flow of raw materials-nanoscale structures-performance.In doing so, this Research Topic entitled “Nanoscale Insight into the Hydration Products of Cementitious Materials: From Theory to Engineering” will focus on reporting the interesting results of research on the properties and performance of cementitious materials on the nanoscale. This Research Topic welcomes all types of cementitious materials both hydraulic cement and supplementary cementitious materials, covering all related topics and techniques, from structural characteristics and activation methods to material preparation and performance enhancement. But research on the Research Topic needs to be linked to the nanoscale. Here, both experimental and simulation methods (or their combination) are welcome. Contributions are expected to cover the topics listed below, but more topics can be included if they fit the field:• Comments and deep thinking on the significance of nanoscopic understanding in the hydration products of cementitious materials (Invited Only)• Development of a new method to understand the hydration products in the nanoscale• Revealing the molecular structure of one or several types of hydration products with the best to provide molecular topology• Modelling of hydration products in nanoscale• Advanced experimental techniques for revealing the nanoscopic structures of properties of hydration products• Understanding the relationship between the nanoscopic properties of hydration products and the macroscopic performance of cement• The chemical reaction of hydration, pozzolanic, alkali-activated process, or any other process in cement generation
Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world after water. Although the performance of concrete is generally described on the macroscale, it essentially depends on the nanoscale structure of the hydration products of the cementitious binder. In other words, if the nanoscale properties of cement hydration products are fully understood, the macroscopic performance of cement will also be well assessed. The nanoscale insight into the hydration products of cementitious materials can be regarded as the outpost of Nano-Engineering. The familiar macroscopic performance of concrete is often classified as mechanical, durability, and workability. Corresponding to one macroscopic performance with one or several nanoscale properties is the first concern of “nanoscale insight”. Meanwhile, identifying the types of hydration products of different kinds of cementitious materials is also a concern of “nanoscale insight”. The ultimate goal of “nanoscale insight” is hopefully nanoscale design, which transforms the traditional relationship flow of raw materials-performance into the relationship flow of raw materials-nanoscale structures-performance.In doing so, this Research Topic entitled “Nanoscale Insight into the Hydration Products of Cementitious Materials: From Theory to Engineering” will focus on reporting the interesting results of research on the properties and performance of cementitious materials on the nanoscale. This Research Topic welcomes all types of cementitious materials both hydraulic cement and supplementary cementitious materials, covering all related topics and techniques, from structural characteristics and activation methods to material preparation and performance enhancement. But research on the Research Topic needs to be linked to the nanoscale. Here, both experimental and simulation methods (or their combination) are welcome. Contributions are expected to cover the topics listed below, but more topics can be included if they fit the field:• Comments and deep thinking on the significance of nanoscopic understanding in the hydration products of cementitious materials (Invited Only)• Development of a new method to understand the hydration products in the nanoscale• Revealing the molecular structure of one or several types of hydration products with the best to provide molecular topology• Modelling of hydration products in nanoscale• Advanced experimental techniques for revealing the nanoscopic structures of properties of hydration products• Understanding the relationship between the nanoscopic properties of hydration products and the macroscopic performance of cement• The chemical reaction of hydration, pozzolanic, alkali-activated process, or any other process in cement generation