Question

What is the gel/space ratio?

(a) Volume of water to the volume of cement

(b) Volume of the hydrated cement paste to the sum of volumes of the hydrated cement

(c) Volume of the hydrated cement paste to the sum of volumes of the hydrated cement and of the capillary pores

(d) Volume of gel to the volume of space present in the concrete

The question was posed to me in an interview.

My question is from Gel Space Ratio in section Strength of Concrete of Concrete Technology

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

(c) Volume of the hydrated cement paste to the sum of volumes of the hydrated cement and of the capillary pores

The gel/space ratio is a key factor in determining the strength and durability of concrete. It relates the volume of the gel (hydrated cement paste) to the total space available in the concrete, which includes both the volume of the hydrated cement and the capillary pores. A higher gel/space ratio generally leads to stronger, more durable concrete.