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Diffusivity evolution under decalcification: influence of aggregate natures and cement type

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Abstract

Since the decalcification of cement paste has been largely reviewed, we focus our studies on the influence of aggregate nature on this phenomenon in relation to the type of cement used, Ordinary Portland Cement or blended cement with fly ash and slag. Some characteristics of similar mortar mixtures where only aggregate nature differs (lime and siliceous sand) are therefore compared for the two types of cement before and after chemical decalcification induced by ammonium nitrate attack: mechanical strength, microstructure (porosity observed by mercury intrusion and profiles of oxide content trough degraded and sound zones determined by electronic microprobe analysis), transport properties (chloride ions diffusivity, gas and water permeabilities). The characterization of sound mortars underlines that siliceous aggregates promote less porous cementitious matrix. The duplication of ammonium nitrate attacks on same material allows testing the experimental parameters governing the degradation. The flows of calcium leached, the microstructure and the evolution of transport properties with decalcification suggest that limestone aggregates are not inert material. Consequently, for the mortars incorporating siliceous sand, the cementitious matrix is more decalcified and this leads to an amplification of ionic transports, especially through blended cement paste.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude for the financial support provided by the National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management (ANDRA), and to the laboratories if LMDC and University of Sherbrooke where the tests were performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SIAME (EA 4581), Equipe Géomatériaux et Structures du Génie Civil/IPRA FR, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, Allée du Parce Montaury, 64600, Anglet, France

    Céline Perlot

  2. Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions (LMDC, EA 3027), INSA-UPS Génie Civil Complexe scientifique, 135 avenue de Rangueil, 31077, Toulouse Cedex, France

    Myriam Carcassès & Jérôme Verdier

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  1. Céline Perlot
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  2. Myriam Carcassès
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Correspondence to Céline Perlot.

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Perlot, C., Carcassès, M. & Verdier, J. Diffusivity evolution under decalcification: influence of aggregate natures and cement type. Mater Struct 46, 787–801 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9934-y

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