Abstract

Abstract

The expansion of cement paste can occur as a result of secondary ettringite formation due to attack by sulfates. It has been proposed that this expansion is affected by coexisting hydration products such as calcium-silicate-hydrates (C-S-H), although the mechanism has not yet been clarified. The present study experimentally examined the effects of coexisting materials on secondary ettringite formation. Synthesized monosulfate and coexisting materials such as C-S-H were mixed with a sodium sulfate solution. The secondary ettringite proportion was markedly increased by the presence of C-S-H, and calcium-aluminate-silicate-hydrates (C-A-S-H) containing four-coordinate Al were formed in these samples. It is evident that ettringite is likely to form from four-coordinate Al, and that C-S-H promotes secondary ettringite formation because it transitions six-coordinate Al derived from the monosulfate to four-coordinate Al by substituting Al in the Si chains.

Abstract

The ettringite (AFt) formation and damage process are investigated for cement paste subjected to external sulfate attack with and without heating treatment during curing. Slice and disc specimens were exposed to 10 g/L Na2SO4 + pH of 13. The evolutions of AFt formation, pore structure, and expansion on slice specimens were characterized through 27Al NMR, MIP, and micrometer. The surface cracks on disc specimens were observed through an optical microscope. The experimental results show that: (1) heating treatment dissolves part of AFt and accelerates the ettringite formation and material expansion; and (2) heating treatment initiates the microcracks, thus promoting the material cracking.

Abstract

Abstract

In this study, the impact of the thaumasite sulfate attack (TSA) on cement mortar was investigated by comparing it to the ettringite sulfate attack (ESA). Mortar specimens with three binders, corresponding to the blank, ESA, and TSA, were exposed to sulfate solution. The evolutions of thaumasite and ettringite formation, pore structure, and gas permeability on the mortar specimens were characterized through XRD, 1H NMR, and CemBureau device. The experimental results show that: (1) both ettringite and thaumasite were formed in TSA; (2) ESA reduces the capillary pore space, whereas TSA decreases both the capillary pore and interlayer pores; and (3) ESA decreases the gas permeability while TSA significantly increases it.