Mechanical strength and durability performance of sea water concrete incorporating supplementary cementitious materials in different curing conditions

Abstract

In this research, the mechanical performance of concrete was evaluated using sea water as substitute over natural water and manufactured sand replaced over river sand by using supplementary cementitious materials as Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and Fly ash (FA). The previous literature research analysis presented here, which has shown the use of seawater is likely to accelerate the strength development of concrete during early stages due to the rich chloride content in seawater. Most studies have shown that concrete made with seawater has a significantly higher 7-day compressive strength, a comparable 28-day compressive strength and later on reduction in long-term compressive strength to ordinary concrete so this initiated the desire in this research to find more accuracy. In present study new concrete composite developed using Sea water as blending and curing agent, with three fractions such as 25% FA & 25% GGBFS, 20% FA & 30 % GGBFS and 10% FA & 40% GGBFS for M40 grade concrete in Tap water and Sea water curing conditions for 7, 28, 56 days. Compressive strength, Flexural Strength and Split tensile strength for three mix results are presented, it has been specifically observed that the effects of 25% FA & 25% GGBFS mix with manufactured sand and sea water for mixing, curing has shown positive impact on mechanical properties gain in Compressive strength up to 40–50 N/mm2 at 28 days and 56 days of concrete was investigated and equal and slightly greater performance for Flexural & split strength was observed at later ages. This study explored durability parameters through chloride penetration and sorptivity test.