Measuring the long-term durability of new types of concrete and concrete technologies is crucial to their acceptance in the marketplace. This long-needed handbook of analytical techniques provides a complete reference to the cutting-edge procedures used to test today's innovative materials. Ranging from chemical and thermal analysis, to IR and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, to Scanning Electron Microscopy, x-ray diffraction, computer modeling and more, the book provides first-hand explanations of modern methodsùcontributed by 24 leading scientists, many of whom actually developed or refined the techniques. The book includes many analytic techniques, applied to a wide range of organic, inorganic and composite materials and additives.Perfect for practitioners, students, and professional standards writers, the handbook is highly useful for scrutinizing materials in a variety of environments. It takes into account the many factors that affect the qualities of concreteùtemperature, pore and pore-size distribution, surface area, and exposureùgathering diverse evaluation methods into one convenient resource.

Introduction
Portland Cement Types, Properties and Specifications
Hydration of Portland Cement
Hydraulic Cements Other Than Standard Portland
Water
Admixtures
Mineral AggregatesùGeneral
Mineral AggregatesùPhysical Properties
Chemical Properties of Aggregates
Geometric Properties of Aggregates
Fineness Modulus and Specific Surface
Grading Evaluation and Specification
Internal Structure of Concrete and Its Optimization
Lightweight and Heavyweight Aggregates
Handling and Selection of Aggregates