Performance of Portland cement mixes containing silica fume and mixed with lime-water

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This study is planned to investigate the properties of Portland cement mixtures containing silica fume and mixed with saturated lime water. The conducted Portland cement mixes included three groups; cement pastes, cement mortars and cement concrete mixes. The main parameters were; type of mixing solution (water or lime-water) as well as the percentage of Portland cement replaced by silica fume. Consistency level, times of initial and final settings, compressive strength development, existence and intensity of CH crystals with age, pozzolanic activity as well as efficiency of the investigated matrices to delay the corrosion of embedded steel bars were the investigated properties.Test results show that using lime-water in mixing enhances consistency degree compared to the corresponding control mixes. Furthermore, it delays both initial and final setting times compared with traditional water due to the common ion effect principles. Moreover, combined use of lime-water and silica fume enhances the pozzolanic reaction that was identified by the strength development at both early and later ages. The existence of CH crystals for higher percentages of silica fume (up to 30%) for further reaction at later ages was observed by XRD results. Moreover, combined use of silica fume and lime-water ensures a high alkaline media around steel bars from the moment of ingredients mixing as long as later ages despite of pozzolanic reaction that was identified from results of chloride attack.