Cement Chemistry and Sustainable Cementitious Materials from edX

Every day, we see concrete used all around us – to build our houses, offices, schools, bridges, and infrastructure. But few people actually understand what gives concrete its strength, resistance, and utility.

The aim of this course is to offer basic cement chemistry to practitioners, as well as new students in the fields of chemistry and engineering.

You will learn how cement is made and hydrated, as well as the environmental and economical benefits it offers. You’ll learn to test your samples in isocalorimetry in order to track the hydration and to prepare and observe samples by scanning electron microscopy. In the last two weeks of the course, you will also learn how X-ray diffraction works and how to apply it to cements.

Because the course is designed for beginning students, it’s not necessary to have a cement background, however a bachelor degree in Materials Science or knowledge in chemistry, physics and crystallography will help. This course starts with basics of cement, and progressively covers the latest advances in the understanding of cement hydration. This course lasts 6 weeks, during which you can take theoretical courses and tutorials to test the cement in the laboratory.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understanding of the hydration of cement
The science and utility behind supplementary cementitious materials in concrete technology

Best practices (via tutorials) for testing samples through x-rays diffractometry, scanning electronic microscopy and isothermal calorimetry

Understanding of the hydration of cement
The science and utility behind supplementary cementitious materials in concrete technology
Best practices (via tutorials) for testing samples through x-rays diffractometry, scanning electronic microscopy and isothermal calorimetry

Syllabus

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Karen Scrivener, an accomplished expert in cement materials

Provides a comprehensive introduction to cement science at an undergraduate level

Methodically introduces fundamental concepts and gradually advances to more complex subjects

Incorporates multiple teaching methods, providing a multifaceted learning experience

Offers a complete education in cement chemistry, from its composition to its applications

Reviews summary

Cement chemistry: foundational theory & lab techniques

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive experience, praised for its clear and accessible deep dive into cement chemistry and sustainable materials. Students highlight the instructor's expertise and the course's effectiveness in building understanding from basics to complex concepts. The practical insights gained from the tutorials on techniques like SEM, EDX, XRD, and Isothermal Calorimetry are frequently cited as a major strength, making it highly relevant for professionals in concrete R&D, civil engineering, and research. While the course is comprehensive, some students suggest a need for more interactive lab elements and occasionally find the pace slow if they already possess a strong chemistry background.

Well-paced for beginners, potentially slow for those with strong prior knowledge.

"The pace felt a bit slow for someone with a chemistry background, but it's probably perfect for beginners."

"As a civil engineer with limited chemistry background, this course was a revelation."

The instructor's expertise and clarity are highly appreciated.

"The instructor's expertise was evident throughout."

"The instructor is knowledgeable."

"The instructor makes complex topics accessible."

Highly relevant and beneficial for working professionals and researchers.

"Provided practical insights for my work in concrete R&D."

"Highly recommend for professionals entering this field."

"I'm a researcher, and this course provided a great refresher and updated my knowledge."

"It's truly a valuable resource for professionals."

Offers valuable understanding of key analytical methods (SEM, XRD, Isocalorimetry).

"The accompanying lab tutorials on SEM, EDX, and XRD were incredibly helpful."

"I found the practical sessions on isocalorimetry and XRD particularly valuable."

"The lab technique tutorials are a great bonus, giving insight into how these analyses are performed."

"The segments on analytical techniques were very informative."

Provides clear, in-depth understanding of cement chemistry basics.

"This course provided a fantastic deep dive into cement chemistry."

"It started with the basics and built up complex concepts effectively. The explanations... were simplified for clear understanding."

"Solid introduction to cement chemistry. It covers the core aspects... thoroughly."

Tutorials offer theoretical insights but lack hands-on, interactive experiences.

"The tutorials felt a bit passive, and I would have liked more problem-solving exercises."

"The tutorials were not very practical. They were just videos, not actual simulations."

"I still feel a bit unprepared for actual lab work without hands-on experience."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cement Chemistry and Sustainable Cementitious Materials with these activities:

Review your knowledge of chemistry

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This course assumes that you have a basic understanding of chemistry. If you need to brush up on your chemistry skills, I recommend that you review the following topics:

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The periodic table
Chemical bonding
Chemical reactions

Review your knowledge of materials science

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This course assumes that you have a basic understanding of materials science. If you need to brush up on your materials science skills, I recommend that you review the following topics:

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The structure of materials
The properties of materials
The processing of materials

Compile your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams

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Throughout this course, you will be accumulating a variety of materials, including notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams. It is important to keep these materials organized so that you can easily review them later.

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Create a binder or folder for your course materials.
File your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams in the binder or folder.
Review your materials regularly.

Three other activities

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Follow tutorials on the SEM Wiki's page on sample preparation.

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Scanning Electron Microscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing the microstructure of materials. This tutorial will help you get started with SEM and prepare samples for analysis.

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Read through the tutorials and make note of the various types of samples that can be analyzed by SEM
Prepare a sample of your own and follow the steps in the tutorial to image it.

Complete the Isothermal Calorimetry Practice Problems

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Isothermal calorimetry is a valuable technique for studying the hydration of cement. These practice problems will help you develop your skills in using this technique.

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Review the theory of isothermal calorimetry.
Complete the practice problems.
Check your answers against the solutions provided.

Create a presentation on the applications of XRD in cement science.

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X-ray diffraction is a powerful tool for characterizing the crystal structure of materials. In this project, you will use XRD to study the hydration of cement and the formation of cement phases.

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Research the applications of XRD in cement science.
Collect XRD data on a sample of cement.
Analyze the XRD data and identify the different phases present in the cement.
Create a presentation that summarizes your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Cement Chemistry and Sustainable Cementitious Materials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Concrete Specialist

Concrete Specialists specialize in the design and construction of concrete structures. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key component in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and build stronger, more durable concrete structures.

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Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers develop and improve materials used in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and transportation. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you develop and improve new materials for construction and other applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure that we use every day, including roads, bridges, and buildings. This course, Cement Chemistry and Sustainable Cementitious Materials, can help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key component in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and build stronger, more durable structures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers design and build the structural components of buildings and other structures. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and build stronger, more durable structures.

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Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you manage construction projects more effectively and ensure that buildings are built to code.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and operate chemical plants and processes. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and operate chemical plants and processes that produce cement and other construction materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical Engineers design and build foundations for buildings and other structures. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and build stronger, more stable foundations.

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Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers design and build transportation systems, such as roads, bridges, and airports. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and build stronger, more durable transportation systems.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to develop new technologies and products. This course can help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you develop new technologies and products for construction and other applications.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers work to protect the environment and public health. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you develop and implement strategies to reduce the environmental impact of cement production and use.

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Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum Engineers design and build wells and other facilities for extracting oil and gas from the earth. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and build stronger, more durable wells and other facilities.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create technical documents, such as manuals, reports, and articles. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you write clear and accurate technical documents about concrete and other construction materials.

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Consultant

Consultants provide professional advice to businesses and organizations. This course can help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you provide expert advice on the use of concrete and other construction materials.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research in colleges and universities. This course can help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you develop and teach courses in construction and other fields.

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Mining Engineer

Mining Engineers design and build mines and other facilities for extracting minerals from the earth. This course will help you build a foundation in the chemistry of cement, which is a key material in concrete. Understanding the properties of cement will help you design and build stronger, more durable mines and other facilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mining Engineer