Effect of silica fume on the thaumasite form of sulfate attack on cement-based materials

Abstract

Thaumasite form of sulfate attack (TSA) can be observed in cement containing limestone under sulfate condition at low temperature. Mixing with suitable mineral admixture could be a good choice to improve the TSA resistance performance of cement-based materials. We investigated the durability performance of limestone-cement mortars reinforced with silica fume (SF) in 5% MgSO4 solution at 5 °C. The mortars, which were immersed in aggressive condition, were prepared with 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% cement replacement by SF at a fixed water-to-binder ratio. Appearance, compressive strength, change of length and mass and corrosion products were investigated to evaluate the TSA resistance performance of SF based specimens. The results showed that specimens in the absence of SF almost disintegrated. Increasing SF dosage can reduce the degree of deterioration of SF mortars in TSA environment. Mortar mixtures with more than 6% SF merely show slight degeneration in relation to macroscopic and microscopic tests and characterizations.