Title: Strength and Durability Parameters of an Environmentally Friendly Concrete

Author(s): Ramon Corral, Susana P. Arredondo, Jose M. Gomez, Diana C. Gamez, Jose M. Mendivil, and Jorge L. Almaral

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 289

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-15

Keywords: recycled aggregate concrete, electrochemical impedance spec¬troscopy, chloride corrosion, pozzolanic materials.

DOI: 10.14359/51684266

Date: 9/14/2012

Abstract:
Due to the significant environmental impact that the concrete production causes, and as a contribution to sustainability of this industry; presently some of the concrete constituents are replaced with alternative recycled materials. Chloride ingress into concrete is one of the main causes of electrochemical corrosion of reinforcement. Although there is an interest to use Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) in concrete, its use is limited due to its detrimental effect on durability. Therefore in this research RCA and Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCM), such as Fly Ash (FA) and Silica Fume (SF), were used to produce durable and environmentally friendly concretes. They were evaluated based on their compressive strength, porosity, electrical resistivity and chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion when they were exposed to accelerated chloride conditions. The corrosion rates of steel embedded in these concretes were measured by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. The results indicated that concrete manufactured with 100% RCA are inferior to conventional concretes, but their performance can be improved by replacing Portland cement by 30% FA or 10% SF.