Abstract: Cement is an important kind of structural materials forcivil and industrial engineering. The mechanical properties of the cementdepend on its hydration process. The present article gives acritical review on evolution of the microstructures and properties in thehydration of cements. The emphasis is placed on the experimental,theoretical and numerical methods, including the simulation of the microstructure,analysis of mechanical properties as well as the relationsbetween microstructure and properties. The research directions in the futureare briefly discussed.