Abstract
The effects of curing conditions on properties of slag cement concrete were studied. Autoclaving (175°C, 0.5 MPa) and steam curing (80°C) were compared to normal curing (28 days, 20°C, and 100% RH). Four different concrete mix designs with the same mix proportions and different cement replacements were used: 0% slag (control), 25% slag, 50% slag, and 75% slag. The effects of slag replacement and curing conditions upon concrete properties were examined. The properties examined included mechanical properties (compressive and tensile strength), transport properties (chloride permeability and chloride penetration), and microstructural properties (pore structure and phase composition). There is little effect of slag replacement up to 50% upon strength, whereas higher replacement results in a drop in compressive strength. Steam curing reduces the compressive strength compared to the other curing types considered in this study. Chloride permeability and penetrability significantly decrease with increasing slag replacement except for autoclave curing, which is the least sensitive with respect to slag replacement compared to the other curing types considered in this study. The addition of slag reduces the continuous pore diameter, which correlates well with the initial current (IC) measured by the rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT).
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 465-472 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Cement and Concrete Research |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2000 |
Funding
This research was carried out at the ACBM Center, Northwestern University. Support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through grant DMS/9313013 to the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS) is greatly appreciated. Dr. Guo-kuan Sun is acknowledged for conducting the MIP and X-ray diffraction tests. Dr. Jeffrey Picka is acknowledged for performing the multiple regression analysis on the test data. Philip Merchant and Kenya Simmons from South Carolina State University are acknowledged for their contribution to the study during the Summer 1998 REU program at ACBM, Northwestern University.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Building and Construction
- General Materials Science