Comparative effects of different real conditions in the microstructure and properties of ternary blended cement mortars for being used in rehabilitation works

Abstract

The use of ternary binders in commercial cements is very low, at least in Spain. A possible field of application of these ternary cements would be the rehabilitation of coatings of old buildings, whose performance may be affected by the external environment. The goal of this research is to analyze the comparative effects of two in-situ environments in the microstructure and several service parameters of mortars with several ternary binders. The real environments verified the requirements of classes XC3 and XC4 of Eurocode 2. The mortars were also exposed to an optimum condition. Reference mortars with ordinary Portland cement and binary mortars were also studied. Mercury intrusion porosimetry, carbonation depth measurements and mechanical strength tests were performed. The real in-situ environments produced a carbonation development, an overall lower pore refinement and worsening of mechanical properties. Mortars which incorporated at least one active addition generally presented a better performance.