Study on the Durability of Concrete with Mineral Admixtures to Sulfate Attack by Wet-Dry Cycle Method

Abstract

Sulfate attack is one of several chemical and physical mechanisms of concrete deterioration. In actual situation, concrete structures always suffer from the coupled effects of multifactor such as wet-dry cycle and sulfate attack when exposed to tidal area or groundwater level change environment. Partial replacement of cement with mineral admixture is one of the efficient methods for improving concrete resistance against sulfate attack. In this regard, the resistance of concrete with fly ash and slag to sulfate attack was investigated by wet-dry cycle method. The degree of sulfate attack on specimens after different cycles was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The results of compressive strength and percentage of compressive strength evolution factor at various cycling times show an increase in the sulfate resistance of concrete with 60% of fly ash and slag than that only with 40% fly ash. The microstructural study indicates that the primary cause of deterioration of concrete under wet-dry cycle condition is swelling of the sulfate crystal rather chemical attack.