Concrete--Testing

A pH determination technique of concrete pore water by means of leaching OH- ions from powdered samples was developed. This method was then evaluated in terms of sample size, extent of dilution, leaching period, the type of leaching, calcium hydroxide error, and titration scatter. Based upon variations of the above parameters it was concluded that a maximum amount of hydroxide ions was released into solution for samples with the smallest particle size within a 24 hours static leaching period. A 50ml dilution volume proved optimum with regard to filtration and titration. Under the above circumstances calcium hydroxide dissolution did not seem to pose a significant source of error. Furthermore, repeatability of the measurements was good and titration scatter was determined to be about 0.05 pH units. This method was used to determine the pH of samples containing different amounts of fly ash or silica fume additions as well as plain cement (control) samples. A drop in OH- concentration, that is pH, was detected with increasing pozzolanic addition. The results are discussed with the context of the degree of corrosion mitigation afforded by these pozzolans.

This thesis presents the experimental investigation of durability and fracture toughness (K IC) of fly ash concrete in the marine environment. The findings indicate that the deterioration rate of durability parameters, such as compressive strength, weight loss, and dynamic modulus of elasticity, due to 450 wet and dry cycles exposure (the Accelerated Durability Testing), was inversely proportional to the amount of fly ash replacement. On the other hand, tensile strength properties, such as modulus of rupture and fracture toughness, were independent of fly ash replacement, but increased with the period of accelerated testing. The mean K IC values of fly ash concrete mixes showed that they are closely related to their compressive strengths and size effects. According to AE, unstable crack propagation initiated at 93-97% maximum load. With SEM observations, it was found that crystallized particles were precipitated in the void spaces due to chemical reaction between the cement paste and seawater.