Effect of Polymer-based Grinding Aid on Sulfate Attacking Resistance of Concrete

Influences of polymer-based grinding aid（PGA） on the damage process of concrete exposed to sulfate attack under dry-wet cycles were investigated. The mass loss, dynamic modulus of elasticity（Erd）, and S and Ca element contents of concrete specimens were measured. Scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, mercury intrusion porosimetry（MIP）, and X-ray diffractometry（XRD） were used to investigate the changing of microstructure of interior concrete. The results indicated that PGA was capable of reducing the mass loss and improving the sulfate attack resistance of concrete. X-ray fluorescence（XRF） analysis revealed that PGA delayed the transport process of sulfate ions and Ca ions. In addition, MIP analysis disclosed that the micropores of concrete with PGA increased in the fraction of 20-100 nm and decreased in the residues of 200 nm. Compared with the blank sample, concrete with PGA had more slender and well-organized hydration products, and no changes in hydration products ratio or type were observed.

Corrosion Behaviour and Chloride Attack of Reinforcing Steel in Presence of Concrete Admixtures

Corrosion and electrochemical behaviour of reinforcing steel embedded in cement pastes with and without concrete admixtures used in Egypt to modify concrete properties have been studied. The influence of the admixtures on the corrosion resistance of the steel against chloride attack has been studied by using impressed current and impressed voltage techniques. The results indicate that the type and concentration of the used admixture have an important effect on the extent of chloride induced corrosion of the steel. The mechanism of corrosion of steel due to chloride attack was discussed. (Edited author abstract) 16 Refs.

Form and Mechanism of Sulfate Attack on Cement-based Material Made of Limestone Powder at Low Water-binder Ratio under Low Temperature Conditions

The development of strength and the form of attack of cement-based material made of limestone powder at low water-binder ratio under low-temperature sulfate environment were studied. The results indicate that when water-binder ratio is lower than 0.40, the cement-based material with limestone powder has insignificant change in appearance after being soaked in 10% magnesium sulfate solution at low temperature for 120 d, and has significant change in appearance after being soaked at the age of 200 d. Expansion damage and exfoliation occur on the surface of concrete test cube at different levels. When limestone powder accounts for about 28 percent of cementitious material, with the decrease of water-binder ratio, the compressive strength loss has gradually decreased after the material is soaked in the magnesium sulfate solution at low temperature at the age of 200 d. After the specimen with the water-binder ratio of less than 0.4 and the limestone powder volume of greater than 20% is soaked in 10% magnesium sulfate solution at low temperature at the age of 200 d, gypsum attack-led destruction is caused to the concrete test cube, without thaumasite sulfate attack.