Abstract: The internal environment of cemented granular materials formed by gravity control grouting is different from that of ordinary concrete. To investigate the influence of internal environment on hydration reaction, this study conducts subtle layered electrical measurements of the early hydration stage of thin cement paste using an embedded electrode array and other equipment, and uses thermogravimetric analysis to verify the measurements. Results show that in the initial hydrolysis stage and dormant stage of the reaction, the hydration process of test samples is basically uniform along vertical direction and the hydration process of samples of different thickness is also basically the same. Starting from the accelerating stage, pore saturation in the shallow layer of a sample becomes smaller than that in the deep layer. Therefore, after a certain curing age, the degree of hydration in the shallow layer is lower than that in the deep layer; and its value in the shallow layer of a thinner sample is smaller than that at the same depth in a thicker sample. This study would help quality control in the construction of cemented granular materials. K

Key words: cement paste, embedded electrode array, hydration process measurement, pore saturation, thermogravimetric analysis