Evaluating Sulphate Resistance of Cement-Based Systems by Sulphate Content Determination after Exposure

Abstract

This paper describes approaches to evaluating the resistance of cement-based composites to sulphate attack. The conventional approach of evaluation by means of measuring expansion is discussed in comparison with the sulphate diffusion, which was quantified as a function of depth. Besides CSA Types GU and HS, a 30:70 blend of fly ash and cement Type GU was also examined. The specimens so produced were immersed in a sulphate solution as per ASTM C1012 and retrieved variously after 7, 14, 28, 56 and 84 days of exposure. As expected, Type HS cement performed best with minimum expansion and sulphate ingress. On the other hand, the Type GU cement showed lower expansion and sulphate ingress in comparison to the fly ash blended binder. Although bearing identical porosity, the blended binder had the smallest median pore size. Therefore, the sulphate ingress and consequent ettringite production likely cracks the blended system more than the other two. Significantly, after longer durations of sulphate exposure, the blended system showed higher tensile strength which implies a healing of cracks through ettringite formation.