Chloride Ion Penetration and Frost Resistance of High-Alumina Cement (HAC) and HAC/Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Concretes in Marine Environments

Abstract

This paper describes the results of marine durability studies carried out on concretes containing high-alumina cement (HAC) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) blended cements. 100-mm concrete cubes were initially cured for 28 days at 5 degrees, 20 degrees, and 38 degrees C in water and, in air at 20 degrees C prior to their storage in the different marine environments. The specimens were exposed for up to four years in spray, tidal, and full-immersion zones at the Building Research Establishment's marine exposure site on the Thames estuary at Shoeburyness. Chloride-penetration data down to depths of 36 mm were determined and evidence of frost damage sought in these non-air entrained concretes after 4 years of marine exposure. Most of the plain HAC concrete had performed equally well, with the exception of the converted specimens, pre-cured at 38 degrees C prior to storage in sea water.