Preface

Concrete is one of the oldest construction materials on Earth, and is the most widely used because of its excellent properties such as high compressive strength, good workability, durability, and availability of constituent materials. A contemporary science on concrete is based on extensive experience obtained from many years of theoretical studies and practical uses. This reflects a variety of growing requirements on performance properties and durability, as well as specific requirements to constituent materials and technology, which account for a growing necessity to reduce negative impacts on the environment.

Cement, being a basic concrete constituent, is a complicated system varying in properties and functions. As a result, the majority of problems associated with concrete technology can be dealt with through a deeper understanding of the processes taking place during hydration and hardening of cement and which, in their turn, cause the formation of the structure and properties of concrete.

Compressive Strength of Concrete contains seven chapters written by researchers and experts in the field. This book provides the state of the art on current progress in understanding the processes that result in the production of high-performance and economically and ecologically efficient concrete.

The book chapters are organized in two sections. The first section mainly focuses on the structure and strength formation of concrete; the second section looks at the relationship between strength and durability under environmental impact.

Chapter 1 is dedicated to the influence of the interfacial transition zone on the formation of strength characteristics of concrete made from alkali-activated cement.

Chapter 2 describes the influence of the interfacial transition zone on the strength characteristics of concrete made from ordinary Portland cement.

Chapter 3 deals with the compressive strength of structural lightweight concrete made using lightweight expanded glass aggregate.

Chapter 4 deals with the application of energy-efficient industrial hybrid cement concrete with high sulfate resistance and reduced shrinkage.

Chapter 5 describes the compressive behavior of concrete under environmental effects.

Chapter 6 provides insight into the mechanical behavior of high-performance concrete subjected to temperatures up to 1000˚C.

Chapter 7 describes the fundamental long-term properties of industrial hybrid cement concrete.

I would like to show my sincere gratitude to the academicians, scientists, concrete technologists, and colleagues and friends globally who have contributed significantly to the broader area of concrete technology. My sincere appreciation and acknowledgment is also given to the published works of researchers on the subject, which have been referred in this book. I am also extremely grateful to IntechOpen for publishing the book in an excellent format. Finally, I wish to acknowledge Ms. Sara Debeuc for providing valuable assistance in bringing out this book.

> Pavel Krivenko D.Sc Professor, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Kyiv, Ukraine

> > Section 1

Structure and Compressive

Strength

1

Section 1
