Volumetric changes of cement paste under exposure to the simulated corrosion products of steel and their influence on cracking susceptibility

Dimensional changes of thin cement paste specimens were monitored during exposure to distilled water, hydrochloric acid, alkaline and FeCl$\sb2$ solutions; and comparison was made with the experimental results obtained by other authors. Post experimental examination of reaction products formed on the specimen surface exposed to FeCl$\sb2$ was conducted using X-Ray diffraction. The data resulting from the measured dimensional changes were input to a finite element model to project the stresses that should occur in association with localized corrosion of embedded steel and wetting of adjacent cement by aqueous FeCl$\sb2$. Implications of the findings with regard to cement and concrete cracking in association with embedded metal corrosion are discussed.