Behavior of self-compacting concrete made with marble and tile wastes exposed to external sulfate attack

Abstract

The evaluation of the incorporation of industrials wastes from marbles and tiles factories in the formulation of self-compacting concrete (SCC) usually requires the understanding of their effects on the rheological behavior SCC in the fresh state and on the mechanical performances of these concretes in the hardened state. But, for a long-term behavior, it is imperative to study of their influence on the durability of these types of concrete against chemical degradations that may exist through the waters or aggressive soils. In the present work, samples of different types of self-compacting concretes incorporating wastes from marbles, marble tiles and gravel tiles (SCCWs) were exposed to different forms of external sulfate attack. This study compares the behaviors of these samples to those of a reference self-compacting concrete (SCCR) made with limestone filler SCCR and an ordinary vibrated concrete (OVC).The samples of different concretes were immersed in seawater, in a sodium sulfate solution (liquid form of sulfate attack) and potable water chosen as a reference. Other samples of these concretes were also placed in a vehicle battery charging hall to ensure their exposure to gaseous form in sulfate through the release of sulfur dioxide gas in the hall.To evaluate the behavior of the concrete samples against different forms of external sulfate attack, the change in their masses was monitored as well as the determination of their dynamic elastic modulus by the ultrasonic test was performed. Multiple measurements of these properties were taken for each 60days of exposure and up to twenty months period. The results of the carried out testing showed that SCCWs have good resistance to external sulfate attack, even in severe exposure to the sulfate with sodium sulfate solution, and especially for the self-compacting concrete made with marble waste.