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Influence of Pumice and Metakaolin on Compressive Strength and Durability of Concrete in Acidic Media and on Chloride Resistance under Immersion and Tidal Conditions

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Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Civil Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of metakaolin and pumice pozzolans as replacement cementitious materials with Portland cement in conventional concrete (NC) on compressive strength, permeability properties, chloride penetration resistance under immersion and tidal conditions, as well as chemical resistance to simulated acid rain attacks in concrete. A control mixture along with two mixtures with 15% replacement of pumice and metakaolin with Portland cement was used. The results showed that the concrete containing metakaolin and pumice had higher compressive strength at all ages than the control specimen. Also, it had a significant effect on chloride penetration resistance enhancement in both immersion and tidal conditions compared to the control specimen. The use of metakaolin and pumice as a 15% alternative to cement could not compensate for the lack of the aluminate phase in the cement matrix; the alkalinity of the pore solution in the mixture reduced, resulting in lower chloride content. The scanning electron microscope results showed that replacing pumice with cement reduces the Ca/Si ratio; however, metakaolin showed more CSH stages, which increases the Ca/Si ratio. Also, the SEM images of mixtures containing pumice and metakaolin revealed that pumice and metakaolin powder enhanced the CSH phase in the entire structure of the concrete. However, in acidic conditions, the Ca/Si ratio reduced significantly, diminishing performance under acidic conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Civil, Water and Environmental Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

    Kianoosh Samimi & Mahyar Pakan

  2. Research and Development Service, Imen Rah Consulting Engineering Co, No7, 4th St Khaled Eslamboli (Vozara) Ave., Tehran, Iran

    Masoud Farahani

  3. School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 16765-163, Narmak, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Akbar Shirzadi Javid

Authors
  1. Kianoosh Samimi
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  2. Masoud Farahani
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  3. Mahyar Pakan
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  4. Ali Akbar Shirzadi Javid
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Correspondence to Kianoosh Samimi.

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The authors of this certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements) or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge, or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Samimi, K., Farahani, M., Pakan, M. et al. Influence of Pumice and Metakaolin on Compressive Strength and Durability of Concrete in Acidic Media and on Chloride Resistance under Immersion and Tidal Conditions. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Civ Eng 46, 1153–1175 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00637-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-021-00637-4

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