Chloride Ingress Control and Promotion of Internal Curing in Concrete Using Superabsorbent Polymer

Abstract

Chloride ingress into concrete from the surrounding environment can result in the corrosion of the embedded steel reinforcement and cause damage to the concrete. Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) with fine particle size was incorporated into the structure of concrete for controlling the chloride ingress and improving its compressive strength via promotion of internal curing. The SAP used in this study was evaluated for its absorbency property when exposed to cementitious environment such as aqueous solution of Ca (OH)2 and cement slurry. The results were compared to that in sodium chloride solution, the environment where absorbency of most of the SAP found in the market are well studied. Results showed that although SAP absorbency decreased with increasing concentration of Ca (OH)2 and cement, the results suggest that water containing cementitious materials are able to be absorbed by SAP. Chloride ingress into 28-day cured concrete specimens were determined using Rapid Chloride Penetration Test (RCPT) method employing 60V DC driving force. Concrete samples with size of 50 mm height x 100 mm diameter were prepared using a M25 mix design with 0.4 and 0.45 water to cement ratios and different percentages of SAP such as 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15% with respect to cement mass. Results showed that concrete with 0.15% SAP gave the best result with 14% less chloride permeability than concrete with no SAP for a 0.4 water to cement ratio. Concrete samples for compressive strength tests with size of 200 mm height x 100 mm diameter were prepared using the same mix design and percentages of SAP and cured for 28 days. Results showed that the best results for compressive strength was found at 0.1% SAP at a 0.4 water to cement ratio which can be attributed to internal curing provided by SAP.