The effect of moisture content upon the elasticity of hardened cement paste

Data on the effect of moisture content upon the axial and lateral elastic compliances of hardened cement pastes with a range of porosities are presented. A number of explanations for the results are examined including one which postulates that calcium silicate hydrate can dehydrate at high humidities. The dehydration mechanism is consistent with the author's results and might help to explain data by other investigators on bulk modulus, shrinkage and sorption behaviour of hardened cement paste.