Author name: Karen L. Scrivener

This chapter tells the story of Portland cement, from its invention in the
19th century until its present-day hegemony as the number one manufactured mineral product. The success story of Portland cement is rooted in
the unique combination of the abundance of its raw materials, the reactivity of the high-temperature clinker product toward water, and the properties of the calcium silicate and aluminate hydration products. Further development of Portland cements today mainly addresses the formidable challenge of reducing process CO2 emissions. Options include partial replacement of clinker by low-carbon resources, material-efficient use of cement and concrete products, and end-of-pipe carbon capture and storage or use.

The need to meet the globally increasing demand for construction
materials, while reducing the environmental impact of cement and concrete production, poses a technological and societal dilemma. Detailed knowledge concerning the mineralogical, geochemical, and microstructural features of ancient and modern binders is fundamental for novel, sustainable, cement-based materials to be designed, manufactured, and deployed. This introduction provides several basic concepts related to cement and concrete, as well as a general overview of the role played by these construction materials in ancient civilizations and in today’s society, and of how they are expected to evolve to ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban future.