Correlation between compressive strength and certain durability indices of plain and blended cement concretes

In this study, plain, silica fume and fly ash cement concrete specimens prepared with varying water to cementitious materials ratio and cementitious materials content were tested for compressive strength, water permeability, chloride permeability, and coefficient of chloride diffusion after 28 days of water curing. The data so developed were statistically analyzed to develop correlations between the compressive strength and the selected durability indices of concrete. Very good correlations were noted between the compressive strength and the selected durability indices, particularly chloride permeability and coefficient of chloride diffusion, irrespective of the mix design parameters. However, these correlations were observed to be dependent on the type of cement.     

Durability of concrete incorporating high-volume of low-calcium (ASTM Class F) fly ash

Research on structural concrete incorporating high volumes of low-calcium (ASTM Class F) fly ash has been in progress at CANMET since 1985. In this type of concrete, the cement content is kept at about 150 kg/m³. The water-to-cementitious materials ratio is of the order of 0·30, and fly ash varies from 54 to 58% of the total cementitious material. A large dosage of a superplasticizer is used to achieve high workability.

This paper presents data on the durability of this new type of concrete. The durability aspects considered are: freezing and thawing cycling; resistance to chloride ion permeability; and the expansion of concrete specimens when highly reactive aggregates are used in the concrete.

The investigations performed at CANMET indicate that concrete incorporating high volumes of low-calcium fly ash has excellent durability with regard to frost action, has very low permeability to chloride ions and shows no adverse expansion when highly reactive aggregates are incorporated into the concrete.     

超高强水泥基材料的力学及耐久性能

超高强水泥基材料作为一种高性能建筑材料,在建筑工程领域已得到了广泛的关注和应用。简要介绍了超高强水泥基材料的发展历史、制备的基本途径和性能实现的基本原理,并且对近年来国内外学者关于超高强水泥基材料力学性能和耐久性能的研究进展进行了综述。综述内容包括:超高强水泥基材料的抗压强度、抗折强度、弹性模量、泊松比、应力应变曲线,以及超高强水泥基材料的抗渗、抗冻性能和碱骨料反应风险。在对已有文献的综述基础上,简要分析了纤维及养护制度对超高强水泥基材料性能的影响,并提出了超高强水泥基材料工程化的关键措施。     

The combined benefits of CPF and RHA in improving the durability of concrete structures

The work presented is a laboratory study of controlled permeability formwork (CPF) applied to concrete where cement was partially replaced (10%, 15% and 20%) with Portuguese rice husk ash (RHA). Portuguese rice husk is a by-product which may be incinerated industrially. Various tests were carried out to evaluate the durability of concrete made with RHA at 10%, 15% and 20% replacement of cement by weight and cast with both the usual formwork and CPF. Tests carried out so far, reported in this paper, concern strength, absorption by capillarity and chloride ion penetration. Results lead to the conclusion that CPF enhances concrete performance even further when using partial cement replacement by RHA.     

Increasing concrete durability with high-reactivity metakaolin

High-reactivity metakaolin (HRM) is a manufactured pozzolan produced by thermal processing of purified kaolinitic clay. Field performance and laboratory research of concrete containing HRM have demonstrated its value for bridge decks, bridge deck overlays, industrial flooring, high-strength concrete and masonry products. This paper discusses laboratory evaluations to assess the long-term performance of concrete containing HRM produced in North America for resistance to chloride penetration and reduction in expansion due to alkali-silica reactivity. Bulk diffusion testing indicated that HRM substantially reduced chloride ion penetration in concrete with w/cm of 0.30 or 0.40. Reductions in diffusion coefficients compared to control specimens were of the order of 50% and 60% for concrete with 8% and 12% HRM, respectively. Also, the performance of the concrete containing 8% or 12% cement replacement with HRM showed improved performance versus merely reducing the w/c from 0.4 to 0.3. Such reductions can be expected to have a substantial impact on the service life of reinforced concrete in chloride environments. Expansion tests on concrete prisms containing reactive aggregates showed that 15% HRM can prevent deleterious expansion due to alkali-silica reactivity (ASR). The mechanism of control is likely linked to the substantial reduction in pore solution alkalinity seen in pastes containing 20% HRM in comparison to the control specimen which contained no supplementary cementing materials. However, the reduction was not large enough to depassivate steel reinforcement.     

Adding limestone fines as cementitious paste replacement to improve tensile strength,stiffness and durability of concrete

The addition of a filler such as limestone fines (LF) to fill into the voids between aggregate particles can reduce the cementitious paste volume needed to produce concrete. In previous studies, it has been found that the addition of LF to reduce the cementitious paste volume would substantially increase the cube strength, and reduce the heat generation and shrinkage of the concrete produced. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the effects of adding LF as cementitious paste replacement on the tensile strength, stiffness and durability of concrete. For the evaluation, a series of concrete mixes with LF added to replace an equal volume of cementitious paste were tested for their workability, cube strength, tensile splitting strength, modulus of elasticity, water penetration depth and chloride permeability. The results showed that the addition of LF as cementitious paste replacement would at the same water/cement ratio, and even at the same cube strength, improve the tensile strength, stiffness and durability of concrete.     

Influence of steam curing on the properties of concretes incorporating metakaolin and silica fume

In this paper, influence of steam curing on the compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water sorptivity, chloride ion permeability, and electrical resistivity of metakaolin and silica fume blended concretes were investigated. A total of seven mixtures containing various combinations of Portland cement (PC), silica fume (SF), and metakaolin (MK) were produced with 400 kg/m³ of total cementitious materials content and with a constant water/binder ratio of 0.44. For each mixture, concrete samples were either standard-cured in water at 23°C or steam-cured at 70°C maximum temperature over 17 h curing period. Test results revealed that steam curing enhanced the 1-day compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity while leading to reduced long term strength in line with earlier findings. At the end of the water sorptivity, chloride ion permeability, and electrical resistivity tests, it was found that the steam-cured concretes had higher water sorptivity and chloride ion permeability, and lower electrical resistivity values compared to the standard cured specimens. Use of SF and MK as cementitious materials remarkably decreased the water sorptivity and chloride ion permeability of concretes, irrespective of the curing condition.     

Effect of ground fly ash and ground bagasse ash on the durability of recycled aggregate concrete

This research aims to study the effect of ground fly ash (GFA) and ground bagasse ash (GBA) on the durability of recycled aggregate concrete. Recycled aggregate concrete was produced with recycled aggregate to fully replace crushed limestone in the mix proportion of conventional concrete (CON) and GFA and GBA were used to partially replace Portland cement type I at the rate of 20%, 35%, and 50% by weight of binder. Compressive strength, water permeability, chloride penetration depth, and expansion by sulfate attack on concretes were investigated.The results reveal that the use of GFA and GBA to partially replace cement in recycled aggregate concrete was highly effective in improving the durability of recycled aggregate concrete. The suitable replacement of GFA or GBA in recycled aggregate concrete to obtain the suitable compressive strength, low water permeability, high chloride penetration resistance, and high sulfate resistance is 20% by weight of binder.     

Effect of mix design inputs,curing and compressive strength on the durability of Na2SO4-activated high volume fly ash concretes

This paper aims to advance research on the use in concrete of a high volume of fly ash, with a high loss on ignition value, aiding in sustainable low carbon footprint construction. To this end, the work explores the benefits that may be achieved in terms of long-term concrete performance from the incorporation of fly ash along with a chemical activator. Durability tests are performed on concrete with an activated hybrid cementitious system: Portland cement (PC) and high volume fly ash with sodium sulfate. The chloride diffusion coefficient significantly decreased over time for the activated system (50% PC - 50% fly ash with added sodium sulfate) compared to the control samples (100% PC and 80% PC - 20% fly ash) at the same water to cementitious material ratio. This behavior is particularly evident in samples cured under controlled laboratory conditions (100% RH and 23 °C). However, outdoor curing increases the permeability for all concretes. Long term carbonation is also investigated under natural exposure conditions, and samples that are cured outdoors exhibit a significant carbonation depth. The compressive strength is correlated with the durability parameters: the durability performance improves as the compressive strength increases, indicating that as is the case for Portland cement (but not always for alkali-activated binders), the microstructural factors which yield high strength are also contributing to durability properties.     

Performance and energy calculation on a green cementitious material composed of coal refuse

Coal refuse as industrial solid waste has become great threats to the environment. To activate coal refuse is one practical solution to recycle this huge amount of solid waste as substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Compared with conventional cement production, successful development of this new material could potentially save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, recycle vast amount of coal wastes, and significantly reduce production cost. Coal refuse was confirmed as a pozzolanic material, which enhances its durability performance. In this experiment, 60 % of the OPC was substituted with the pozzolana mixture (30 % coal refuse + 25 % slag + 5 % FGD gypsum), which is an optimal solution for the creation of good-performance cementitious material. Compared with OPC, the 60 % pozzolana blended sample has a much higher resistance to the alkali-silica reaction and Cl ion penetration. In addition, microanalyses of the activated coal refuse by XRD demonstrated that some of the mineral phase changes in coal refuse were related to the performance of the cementitious material. For example, the transformation of kaolinite into metakaolin and the dehydroxylation of muscovite enhance the resistance of the cementitious material to the alkali-silica reaction and Cl penetration, respectively. Compared with conventional cement production by calculation, successful development of a new thermal activation process (800 °C) to convert coal refuse into desirable pozzolanic material for producing the new material would potentially save energy around by about 50 %, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 67 %.     

Decoupling the physical and chemical effects of supplementary cementitious materials on strength and permeability: A multi-level approach

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) represent an alternative for the industry to achieve sustainability by reducing cement contents without significant compromises of the mechanical properties and enhancing durability. SCMs play a dual role during hydration: a physical effect promoting nucleation and cement hydration and a chemical effect through pozzolanic activity. Rice husk ash (RHA) and natural pozzolans (NP) were evaluated using compressive strength and durability tests in a multi-level experimental program. RHA increased the strength more than NP, which is well explained by its prominent chemical effect (78%) assessed by isothermal calorimetry and its high amorphous silica content. Both RHA and NP produced significant reductions in the permeability of the concrete, which is mostly explained by the chemical effect. Decoupling the physical and chemical effects of a SCM allows for optimisation of its manufacturing process.     

Comparative study of different test methods for reinforced concrete durability assessment in marine environment

There are many different test methods to assess reinforced concrete durability. As in marine environment reinforcement corrosion due to chloride attack is the most important degradation process, chloride penetration rate has been compared with different durability tests results (concrete strength, porosity, water absorption, water penetration depth under pressure, capillarity, water and oxygen permeability) carried out on concrete cores obtained from the caissons of seven Spanish wharves. Data have been studied separately, depending on concrete location (chloride penetration rate is faster in submerged concretes than in tidal zone concretes) and cement type (mineral admixtures reduce permeation rate due to pore size refinement). Results show that it is advisable to control concrete water tightness through water penetration under pressure test; additionally, in order to make sure a slow corrosion rate, it should be advisable to control oxygen permeability in tidal zone concretes.     

A study on durability properties of high-performance concretes incorporating high replacement levels of slag

This paper presents an experimental study of combined effects of curing method and high replacement levels of blast furnace slag on the mechanical and durability properties of high performance concrete. Two different curing methods were simulated as follows: wet cured (in water) and air cured (at 20°C and 65% RH). The concretes with slag were produced by partial substitution of cement with slag at varying amounts of 50–80%. The water to cementitious material ratio was maintained at 0.40 for all mixes. Properties that include compressive and splitting tensile strengths, water absorption by total immersion and by capillary rise, chloride penetration, and resistance of concrete against damage due to corrosion of the embedded reinforcement were measured at different ages up to 90 days. It was found that the incorporation of slag at 50% and above-replacement levels caused a reduction in strength, especially for the early age of air cured specimens. However, the strength increases with the presence of slag up to 60% replacement for the 90 day wet cured specimens. Test results also indicated that curing condition and replacement level had significant effects on the durability characteristics; in particular the most prominent effects were observed on slag blended cement concrete, which performed extremely well when the amount of slag used in the mixture increased up to 80%.     

Porosity and water permeability of rice husk ash-blended cement composites reinforced with bamboo pulp

Cellulose fibres have already been applied commercially as an alternative to asbestos in fibre-cements composites. In spite of their industrial scale production for more than 20 years, these composites still require much research efforts, which focus mainly on durability aspects. The influence of the most relevant deterioration mechanisms can be minimized if mineral admixtures with high pozzolanic activity replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The improvements then achieved are due to the decrease in Ca(OH)₂ content and the more compact matrix and interfaces in the composite. In this respect, rice husk ash (RHA) is one of the most promising materials to be applied as a partial cement replacement in the cellulose-reinforced cement-based composites. This is due to the high active silica content of the ash and the widespread availability of the husks. To assess the influences of different chemical compositions of RHA, and the effects of autoclave curing on the pore characteristics of bamboo-pulp-reinforced cement composites, a comparative study was carried out in which pore characteristics were assessed by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Complementarily, the effects exerted by changes in the pore structure of the composites on their water permeability are evaluated by analytical and experimental approaches. It was observed that the incorporation of RHA in the composites could cause an extensive pore refinement in the matrix and in the interface layer, thereby decreasing water permeability. The results indicate that partial replacement of cement by RHA can improve the durability characteristics of cellulose–cement composites.     

Effects of silica powder and cement type on durability of ultra high performance concrete (UHPC)

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) achieves extraordinary strength characteristics through optimization of the particle packing density of the cementitious matrix. The dense matrix also promotes exceptional durability properties and is arguably the biggest benefit of the material. A durable concrete enables structures to last longer, reduces the cost of maintenance and helps achieve a significantly more sustainable infrastructure. To assess the durability of UHPC, the performance of several non-proprietary blends are investigated by assessing the materials' resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, ingress of chlorides as well as the presence and distribution of air voids. The main experimental variables are cement type and the quantity of silica powder, which varies from 0% to 25% of the cement weight. All mixes displayed negligible chloride ion penetration and high resistance to freeze-thaw with mass loss well below the limit in over 60 cycles of freeze-thaw. Analysis of the test data indicates that the silica powder content has little influence on performance.     

Review: Improving cement-based materials by using silica fume

The effects of silica fume as an admixture in cement-based materials are reviewed in terms of the mechanical properties, vibration damping capacity, freeze-thaw durability, abrasion resistance, shrinkage, air void content, density, permeability, steel rebar corrosion resistance, alkali-silica reactivity reduction, chemical attack resistance, bond strength to steel rebar, creep rate, coefficient of thermal expansion, specific heat, thermal conductivity, fiber dispersion, defect dynamics, dielectric constant and workability. The effects of silane treatment of the silica fume and of the use of silane as an additional admixture are also addressed.     

Performance and properties of mortar mixed with nano-CuO and rice husk ash

This paper presents an experimental study on a new mixture scheme of mortar. Unlike most of existing work, the present study investigates nano-CuO (NC), and its combined effects with cement replacement i.e., rice husk ash (RHA) on durability performance, as well as strength and permeability properties of mortars. Comprehensive observations of both the performance and properties improvements on RHA-containing mortar specimens were determined with the addition of NC. To this end, a series of tests for examining the strength both directly (compressive strength) and indirectly (Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity), electrical resistivity, chloride permeability, water absorption and microstructure characteristics (i.e., SEM micrographs, Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) & capillary analyses) of mortar specimens were performed. A relationship between the Rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) and electrical resistivity was also studied in order to recommend an alternative method for quality control in the presence of RHA and NC. Finally, a mixture scheme which provides relatively satisfactory properties improvement with positive environment credential is suggested.     

Durability of Portland blast-furnace slag cement concrete

This paper summarizes the results of studies carried out at the Building Research Establishment in the UK, on the performance and long-term durability of concrete where ground glassy blast-furnace slag (granulated and pelletized) has been used as a cementitious material. Using data from tests on site structures and laboratory and exposure site studies, comparisons are made of the properties and performances of the slag cement concretes with normal Portland cement concretes of similar mixture proportions. A number of recommendations are given for the effective use of ground glassy blast-furnace slag in concrete. The many technical benefits available to the concrete user, such as reduced heat evolution, lower permeability and higher strength at later ages, decreased chloride ion penetration, increased resistance to sulfate attack and alkali silica reaction were affirmed. However, a cautionary warning of the importance of good early curing is made to ensure that the adverse effects of higher rates of carbonation, surface scaling and frost attack are minimized. The paper is intended to provide guidance for those concerned with the design, specification, application and performance of concrete in practice where slag can also help to reduce costs and energy demands in the production of cement compared with normal Portland cement.     

Mechanical properties and durability of mortar and concrete containing natural pozzolana and limestone blended cements

The benefits of limestone filler (LF) and natural pozzolana (NP) as partial replacement of Portland cement are well established. Economic and environmental advantages by reducing CO₂ emission are well known. However, both supplementary materials have certain shortfalls. LF addition to Portland cement causes an increase of hydration at early ages inducing a high early strength, but it can reduce the later strength due to the dilution effect. On the other hand, NP contributes to hydration after 28 days improving the strength at medium and later ages. Hence, ternary blended cement (OPC–LF–NP) with better performance could be produced. In this paper, mortar prisms in which Portland cement was replaced by up to 20%LF and 30%NP were tested in flexure and compressive strength at 2, 7, 28 and 90 days. Some samples were tested under sulfate and acid solutions and for chloride ions permeability. Results show that the use of ternary blended cement improves the early age and the long-term compressive and flexural strengths. Durability was also enhanced as better sulfate, acid and chloride ions penetration resistances were proved.     

The Durability of Alkali-Activated Materials in Comparison with Ordinary Portland Cements and Concretes: A Review

China is the largest producer and user of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), and the rapid growth of infrastructure development demands more sustainable building materials for concrete structures. Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are a new type of energy-saving and environmentally friendly building material with a wide range of potential applications. This paper compares the durability of AAMs and OPC-based materials under sulfate attack, acid corrosion, carbonation, and chloride penetration. Different AAMs have shown distinct durability properties due to different compositions being formed when different raw materials are used. According to the calcium (Ca) concentration of the raw materials, this paper interprets the deterioration mechanisms of three categories of AAMs: calcium-free, low-calcium, and calcium-rich. Conflicts found in the most recent research are highlighted, as they raise concerns regarding the consistence and long-term properties of AAMs. Nevertheless, AAMs show better durability performances than OPC-based materials in general.