A Study on the Chloride Diffusion into Portland Limestone Cement Concrete

Abstract

In this paper the diffusion of chloride ions through limestone cement concrete is studied. The Portland limestone cements have many benefits and the new European Standard EN 197-1 identifies 4 types of Portland limestone cement containing 6-20% limestone (types II/A-L and II/A-LL) and 21-35% limestone (types II/B-L and II/B-LL), respectively. Portland limestone cements of different fineness and limestone content (0-35% w/w) have been produced by inter-grinding clinker, gypsum and limestone. Six concrete mixtures were prepared and the Nordtest Method (accelerated chloride penetration) was applied for the determination of penetration parameters for estimating the resistance against chloride penetration into hardened concrete. The diffusion equation of Fick’s second law was used for the determination of the effective chloride transport coefficient. It is concluded that Portland limestone cement concrete indicates competitive behavior with the Portland cement concrete. Limestone content up to 15% has a positive effect on the concrete resistance against chloride penetration.