Abstract

Abstract Three nano-CaCO3 (NC) replacement levels of 1, 2, and 3% (by weight of cement) were utilized in autoclaved concrete. The accelerated carbonation depth and Coulomb electric fluxes of the hardened concrete were tested periodically at the ages of 28, 90, 180, and 300 days. In addition, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were also performed to study changes in the hydration products of cement and microscopic pore structure of concrete under autoclave curing. Results indicated that a suitable level of NC replacement exerts filling and accelerating effects, promotes the generation of cement hydration products, reduces porosity, and refines the micropores of autoclaved concrete. These effects substantially enhanced the carbonation and chloride resistance of the autoclaved concrete and endowed the material with resistances approaching or exceeding that of standard cured concrete. Among the three NC replacement ratios, the 3% NC replacement was the optimal dosage for improving the long-term carbonation and chloride resistance of concrete.

Highlights

  • Three nano-CaCO3 (NC) replacement levels of 1, 2, and 3% were utilized in autoclaved concrete

  • To obtain the long-term durability behaviors of NC modified autoclaved concrete, specimens’ accelerated carbonation and Coulomb electric flux experiments were conducted at their ages of 28, 90, 180, and 300 d according to GB/T 50082-2009 (Standard for Test Methods of Longterm Performance and Durability of Ordinary Concrete)

  • To reduce errors usually occurred in autoclaved concrete specimens caused by solution overheating during the Coulomb electric flux experiment [6,11], the Coulomb charges of concrete were determined using an improved method of multiplying the initial charges of 30 min by 12 [28,32]

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Abstract: Three nano-CaCO3 (NC) replacement levels of 1, 2, and 3% (by weight of cement) were utilized in autoclaved concrete. Results indicated that a suitable level of NC replacement exerts filling and accelerating effects, promotes the generation of cement hydration products, reduces porosity, and refines the micropores of autoclaved concrete. These effects substantially enhanced the carbonation and chloride resistance of the autoclaved concrete and endowed the material with resistances approaching or exceeding that of standard cured concrete. Shaikh and Supit [22] investigated the effects of NC on the mechanical and durability performance of concrete with a high volume of fly ash under room-temperature water curing; they found that a 1% NC replacement ratio results in remarkable improvements in the compressive strength, porosity, water sorptivity, chloride permeability, and chloride ion diffusivity of concrete. The scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) image of NC powder is shown in Figure 1, which is consistent with its particle size

Raw materials
Specimen fabrication and curing methods
Experimental methods
Carbonation resistance of AC concrete with NC
Chloride resistance of AC concrete with NC
Hydration products of AC cement with NC
Effects of NC on the micromorphology of AC cement
Effects of NC on the pore structures of AC concrete
Conclusions

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.