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Title: Multi-criteria analysis of the mechanism of degradation of Portland cement based mortars exposed to external sulphate attack

Abstract

This work aims to contribute to the design of durable concrete structures exposed to external sulphate attacks (ESA). Following a preliminary study aimed at designing a representative test, the present paper suggests a study on the effect of the water-to-cement (w/c) ratio and the cement composition in order to understand the degradation mechanisms. Length and mass measurements were registered continuously, leached calcium and hydroxide ions were also quantified. In parallel, scanning electron microscopy observations as well as X-ray microtomography were realised at different times to identify the formed products and the crack morphology. Test results provide information on the basic aspects of the degradation mechanism, such as the main role of leaching and diffusion in the sulphate attack process. The mortar composition with a low w/c ratio leads to a better resistance to sulphate attack because the microstructure is less permeable. Reducing the C{sub 3}A content results in a macro-cracking decrease but it does not prevent expansion, which suggests the contribution of other expansive products, such as gypsum, in damage due to ESA. The observation of the cracks network in the microstructure helps to understand the micro-mechanisms of the degradation process.

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22149348
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Cement and Concrete Research
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 42; Journal Issue: 10; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0008-8846
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; CALCIUM; CONCRETES; CRACKING; CRACKS; GYPSUM; LEACHING; MICROSTRUCTURE; MORPHOLOGY; MORTARS; PORTLAND CEMENT; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; SULFATES; WATER; X RADIATION

Citation Formats

El-Hachem, R., Roziere, E., Grondin, F., and Loukili, A., E-mail: ahmed.loukili@ec-nantes.fr. Multi-criteria analysis of the mechanism of degradation of Portland cement based mortars exposed to external sulphate attack. United States: N. p., 2012. Web. doi:10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2012.06.005.
El-Hachem, R., Roziere, E., Grondin, F., & Loukili, A., E-mail: ahmed.loukili@ec-nantes.fr. Multi-criteria analysis of the mechanism of degradation of Portland cement based mortars exposed to external sulphate attack. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2012.06.005
El-Hachem, R., Roziere, E., Grondin, F., and Loukili, A., E-mail: ahmed.loukili@ec-nantes.fr. 2012. "Multi-criteria analysis of the mechanism of degradation of Portland cement based mortars exposed to external sulphate attack". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2012.06.005.
@article{osti_22149348,
title = {Multi-criteria analysis of the mechanism of degradation of Portland cement based mortars exposed to external sulphate attack},
author = {El-Hachem, R. and Roziere, E. and Grondin, F. and Loukili, A., E-mail: ahmed.loukili@ec-nantes.fr},
abstractNote = {This work aims to contribute to the design of durable concrete structures exposed to external sulphate attacks (ESA). Following a preliminary study aimed at designing a representative test, the present paper suggests a study on the effect of the water-to-cement (w/c) ratio and the cement composition in order to understand the degradation mechanisms. Length and mass measurements were registered continuously, leached calcium and hydroxide ions were also quantified. In parallel, scanning electron microscopy observations as well as X-ray microtomography were realised at different times to identify the formed products and the crack morphology. Test results provide information on the basic aspects of the degradation mechanism, such as the main role of leaching and diffusion in the sulphate attack process. The mortar composition with a low w/c ratio leads to a better resistance to sulphate attack because the microstructure is less permeable. Reducing the C{sub 3}A content results in a macro-cracking decrease but it does not prevent expansion, which suggests the contribution of other expansive products, such as gypsum, in damage due to ESA. The observation of the cracks network in the microstructure helps to understand the micro-mechanisms of the degradation process.},
doi = {10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2012.06.005},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22149348}, journal = {Cement and Concrete Research},
issn = {0008-8846},
number = 10,
volume = 42,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012},
month = {Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012}
}