Durability Performance Indices for Cement-Based Mortars.

Rebeca Visairo-Méndez,Roberto Alvarado-Cárdenas,Andrés A Torres-Acosta

doi:10.3390/ma14112758

Rebeca Visairo-Méndez, Roberto Alvarado-Cárdenas + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14112758

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Abstract

Corrosion-induced damaged structures are generally repaired using locally available materials. Nevertheless, determining the durability of the repair materials to be used is necessary to forecast its service life after being placed on the damaged structure. In previous investigations, the most commonly used durability indices are saturated electrical resistivity (ρS), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), total void content (TVC), water capillary absorption (WCA), rapid chloride permeability (RCP), and compressive strength (fc). Four repair mortar types were evaluated. For each mortar type, 5 × 5 cm2 cubes, 5 × 10 cm2 (small) cylinders, and 10 × 20 cm2 (large) cylinders were made from each mortar evaluated. On the basis of the present results, the durability design of mortars should consider not only the mechanical strength, but also the durability index values to define its durability performance. According to the empirical correlations obtained between all durability indices, ρS vs. RCP, TVC vs. WCA, and RCP vs. WCA were the ones with higher correlation coefficient. These correlations could be used for mortar mixture durability forecasting.

Highlights

Concrete is a cost-effective and readily available construction material
The performance definition refers to the durability of the materials, considering the durability indices used in a previous investigation [16]
The same specimens were used to determine all the evaluated durability indices, starting with the ρS, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), total void content (TVC), water capillary absorption (WCA), and fc

Summary

Introduction

Concrete is a cost-effective and readily available construction material. It has various properties and attractive characteristics, making it convenient for numerous construction applications. Concrete can be fluid in such a way that even 3D prints can be made for experimental models or structural elements in service; this requires an excellent mix design and quality control of materials [2]. In previous investigations, it has been emphasized how concrete durability begins with the design of structural elements from durability criteria [3,4]. By considering first durability design, it has been shown that the mechanical strength of the structure obtained is much greater than the selected from just mechanical strength design This is because the demands on the materials’ properties against harsh environments go beyond the mechanical performance of the structural element. Once the durability design of the structural elements is achieved, the mechanical performance follows [3]

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