The most important hydraulic constituents are the calcium silicates, C2S and C3S. Upon mixing with water, the calcium silicates react with water molecules to form calcium silicate hydrate (3CaO · 2SiO2 · 3H2O) and calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2). These compounds are given the shorthand notations C–S–H (represented by the average formula C3S2H3) and CH, and the hydration reaction can be crudely represented by the following reactions:2C3S + 6H = C3S2H3 + 3CH2C2S + 4H = C3S2H3 + CH During the initial stage of hydration, the ... (100 of 4,507 words)