Creep, shrinkage, frost, and sulphate resistance of high strength concrete

Abstract

A comprehensive study was undertaken to determine the shrinkage, creep, and durability of high strength concrete (50–70 MPa) containing silica fume and lignite fly ash. The concrete mixtures contained normal CSA type 10 (ASTM type 1) portland cement, 10% condensed silica fume, and different amounts of fly ash that varied between 0 and 80% of the weight of binder in the mixture. The aggregates-to-binder ratio by weight was maintained at 5 and the weight of the superplasticizer was varied between 1.5% and 2.2% of the binder while the water-to-binder ratio was maintained at 0.27. The test program consisted of compressive strength tests at various ages on concrete cylinders; drying shrinkage tests at room temperature; creep tests of sealed and unsealed concrete at room temperature (21 °C (70°F)) and at high temperatures (up to 232 °C (450°F)) under three different stress regimes; frost resistance tests on concrete prisms up to 300 freezing and thawing cycles; and sulphate resistance tests on concrete prisms immersed in 5% Na2SO4 solution for up to 10 months. The results indicated that up to 60% fly ash replacement with 10% silica fume showed either superior or similar 28- and 56-day compressive strengths when compared with the 100% cement control mixture. Fly ash + silica fume concrete indicated lower shrinkage and long-term creep. Creep increased with increase in temperature due to physico-chemical processes, which were confirmed by microstructure analysis using the scanning electron microscope. The creep and shrinkage data of high fly ash + silica fume concrete fitted well to the current ACI creep and shrinkage model. Replacement of cement by up to 35% fly ash and 10% silica fume indicated enhanced frost resistance, without any air-entrainment. The addition of 8% air-entrainment to the 20% fly ash + 10% silica fume mixture increased the durability factor by about 10%. For the 50% fly ash + 10% silica fume mixture, the frost durability factor was found comparable to that of the 100% cement control mixture, and air entrainment did not improve its value appreciably. Sulphate resistance of concrete made with 100% CSA type 10 cement was found satisfactory; however, with increasing fly ash contents (up to 50%), the expansion due to sulphate action was suppressed. A study of matrix morphology and microstructure bonding, using the scanning electron microscope, helped to explain the observed results in a comprehensive manner. Key words: creep, shrinkage, compressive strength, frost resistance, durability factor, sulphate resistance, fly ash, silica fume, high-strength concrete, SEM micrograph, matrix morphology.