Mineralogical and microtextural characterization of eco-friendly concrete for marine infrastructures: Methodologies for the MARINEFF Project

Abstract

The European cross-border Project MARINEFF explores the use of eco-friendly concrete materials in the construction of marine structures (oyster bed modules, dykes, boat moorings and rockpools). The structures and materials are designed to protect and improve the local biodiversity of the marine environment of the Channel / La Manche. This paper focuses on the mineralogical and microtextural characterization of the concrete materials. The aim is to introduce how advanced analytical methods have been employed to gain an understanding of the evolution of the materials, in particular their response to immersion into the sea. Our methods include the traditional techniques for examining concrete materials (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction), but also introduces the benefits of mineralogical methods that go beyond the current “state-of-the-art” (automated scanning electron microscopy by QEMSCAN®, electron-probe microanalysis). Our results offer detailed insight into the controls on the compositional and structural evolution of the materials.