Effect of Supplementary Cementitious Materials on Corrosion Resistance of Reinforced Concrete

Jul 8, 2025

Journal Civil and Environmental Engineering

publisher Sciendo

DOI https://doi.org/10.2478/cee-2025-0080

Issue 22

Reinforced concrete (RC) durability particularly in chloride and sulphate-rich environments is seriously compromised by corrosion. This study explores how Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) fly ash, silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and metakaolin collectively improve corrosion resistance and durability. A rigorous experimental regime, including compressive strength testing, water absorption, sorptivity, rapid chloride penetration tests, sulphate attack resistance, half-cell potential measurements, chloride diffusion assessments, and linear polarization resistance tests, was implemented. Multi-SCM mixtures significantly outperformed individual SCMs, exhibiting a 68% drop in chloride permeability, 64% less sulphate-induced expansion, and an 81% reduction in steel corrosion relative to conventional concrete. Notably, mix M13 achieved exceptional microstructural refinement and a compressive strength of 70.7 MPa 38% higher than the control alongside superior resistance to aggressive ions. However, this enhanced SCM content led to noticeable workability issues, reducing slump values by approximately 38%. Although the introduction of superplasticizers partially mitigated these drawbacks, practical implementation at a larger scale remains challenging. Further, uncertainties persist regarding long-term real-world performance, necessitating additional field validations. Ultimately, while SCM blends clearly offer substantial durability advantages, future investigations should prioritize optimizing mix proportions, addressing workability concerns, and verifying laboratory results in actual exposure conditions. This will support the advancement of sustainable, resilient RC infrastructures with enhanced corrosion resistance.

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Performance of ECC Mortar Containing Limestone Powder as a Full Replacement of Fine Aggregate

Mar 31, 2025

Journal THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR ENGINEERING SCIENCES

publisher AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI 10.1063/5.0262462

Issue 1

Volume 3303

Limestone powder (LP), derived from marble dust and stone waste, was utilized as a sand substitute in engineering cement compounds (ECC). This readily available material is a by-product of industrial waste from local quarries and stone cutting, and it was sourced from Mosul factories for this research. The study aimed to fully replace the fine aggregate in ECC with LP. Experimental findings demonstrated that LP had an impact on the hardening and drying process, resulting in longer drying and hardening times. Consequently, there was a decrease in the initial compressive and tensile strength. However, the use of finer LP compensated for this effect. Seven mixtures were tested with varying LP/PC (Portland Cement) replacement ratios (0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5). The best results were obtained with mixture M5. The addition of LP led to an increase in compressive strength, with values reaching up to 32.40 MPa at 28 days. Finer LP particles further enhanced this effect. Conversely, increasing the LP/PC replacement ratio resulted in a reduction in tensile strength due to the higher water-cement ratio. The tempering effect contributed to an enhancement of 3.92 MPa in tensile strength. The incorporation of LP significantly reduced the environmental impact by decreasing the demand for natural resources. The use of limestone in the ECC mortar gave good results for tests of the mechanical properties of the mortar, as this is considered a viable option for use in building, construction, and repair operations. It is recommended that further improvements, research, and studies be conducted to improve the formulations and types of such alternative mortar. © 2025 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.

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Impact of Substrate Surface Roughness on Bond Behavior of High-Performance Engineered Cementitious Composites Repair Mortar

Mar 4, 2025

publisher Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l

DOI 10.15866/irece.v16i2.25547

Issue 2

Volume 16

One of the most crucial elements for structural functionality, safety, and durability is the interfacial bonding between degraded concrete structures and overlaid repair mortar. A strong and effective bond at the concrete interfaces is essential to enhancing resistance against shear and tensile loads. The goal of this study is to look at the mechanical properties of the repaired substrate made of high-performance Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) by using different surface roughening methods on concrete. Four approaches have been evaluated: one-way scratching with parallel double grooves, two-way scratching, one-way scratching with column drilling, and screwing into the grooves. The flexural strength of 48 repaired prism specimens at 45° and 90° angles between the ECC mortar and substrate was tested. Splitting tensile strength and slant shear strength tests were done on cylinder specimens. Slant shear strength tests were done at a 30° angle between the substrate and ECC mortar. The repaired specimens were cured for 28 days at a temperature of 23±2 °C. According to the investigation results, the mixture (M5) containing 210 kg/m3 of silica fume and 210 kg/m3 of slag powder (as supplementary cementitious materials) with a limestone powder-to-cement ratio of 2.5 yielded the best mechanical properties for ECC mortar. The same mixture (M5) provided the best bond strength and slant shear resistance when the surface was roughened (a 45° angle between the ECC mortar and the substrate) using a combined technique of scratching and precision drilling of the substrate, followed by screws set in the double grooves.

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The effect of real curing temperatures on early age concrete strength development in massive concrete structures

Feb 20, 2025

Journal European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering

publisher Taylor and Francis Ltd.

DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2025.2458294

Issue 9

Volume 29

At the early maturity stage, the curing temperature has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of concrete. Concrete cubes are cured in water baths at different temperatures—5°C, 20°C, 35°C, and 50°C—in order to measure their compressive strength. This method is predicated on the knowledge that the pace of cement hydration is strongly influenced by the curing temperature. Then, the realistic curing temperature regime was imposed where the temperature of the curing water was modified based on the temperature patterns obtained from semi-adiabatic testing of concrete mixes to simulate curing conditions in the core of massive concrete structures. Ordinary Concrete: Compared to specimens cured at an isothermal curing at 20 �C, those cured in water baths at realistic curing showed an increase in compressive strength of 48% at seven days and 18.5% at 28 days. Fly Ash 18% Replacement: Compared to specimens cured at at 20°C, the compressive strength of those cured at realistic curing increased by 45% at seven days, with a modest rise of 0.2% by the 28th day. Slag 18% Replacement: Compared to specimens cured at 20°C, the compressive strength of those cured at realistic curing increased significantly by 121% at seven days and by 21.7% at 28 days.

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Evaluation of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Modified Cement-Lime Mortar Containing Recycled Granite Powder Waste as a Partial Fine Aggregate Replacement

Nov 6, 2024

Journal Applied Sciences

publisher multidisciplinary digital publishing institute (mdpi)

DOI 10.3390/app142210146

Issue 22

Volume 14

This study aims to incorporate building and demolition waste, including lime and crushed granite, as partial alternatives for cement and fine aggregates, respectively, and to devise a plan to reduce their environmental effect resulting from their extensive prevalence in substantial amounts. The use of lime in paste, mortar, and concrete has become a common practice to regulate the environment, save resources, and improve performance in various settings. The first stage of this study investigated the effects of replacing different proportions (0%, 15%, 25%, 35%, and 50%) of lime powder with cement on the physical and mechanical properties of mortar specimens over 7, 28, and 90 days. The next phase of the research examined the impacts of substituting varying quantities (ranging from 10% to 100%) of granite powder in 15 different mixes, while keeping a consistent water-to-binder ratio of 0.45. The last part of the study consisted of an examination of data from previous research on cement mortar and lime-modified cement mortar. This included testing on flowability, standard consistency, setting time, flexural strength, and compressive strength. The acquired data underwent a statistical analysis, which resulted in the development of equations that may predict the mechanical characteristics of changed cement mortar mixes. These equations also highlight the impact of certain physical qualities on compressive and flexural strength.

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Evaluation of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Modified Cement-Lime Mortar Containing Recycled Granite Powder Waste as a Partial Fine Aggregate Replacement

Nov 6, 2024

Journal Applied Sciences

publisher multidisciplinary digital publishing institute (mdpi)

DOI 10.3390/app142210146

Issue 22

Volume 14

This study aims to incorporate building and demolition waste, including lime and crushed granite, as partial alternatives for cement and fine aggregates, respectively, and to devise a plan to reduce their environmental effect resulting from their extensive prevalence in substantial amounts. The use of lime in paste, mortar, and concrete has become a common practice to regulate the environment, save resources, and improve performance in various settings. The first stage of this study investigated the effects of replacing different proportions (0%, 15%, 25%, 35%, and 50%) of lime powder with cement on the physical and mechanical properties of mortar specimens over 7, 28, and 90 days. The next phase of the research examined the impacts of substituting varying quantities (ranging from 10% to 100%) of granite powder in 15 different mixes, while keeping a consistent water-to-binder ratio of 0.45. The last part of the study consisted of an examination of data from previous research on cement mortar and lime-modified cement mortar. This included testing on flowability, standard consistency, setting time, flexural strength, and compressive strength. The acquired data underwent a statistical analysis, which resulted in the development of equations that may predict the mechanical characteristics of changed cement mortar mixes. These equations also highlight the impact of certain physical qualities on compressive and flexural strength.

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The Effect of Utilizing Epoxy Latex and Silica Fume on The Mechanical Performance of Cement Repair Mortars

Dec 15, 2023

Journal 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES (ICSDT2022)

publisher AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI 10.1063/5.0172739

Issue 1

Volume 2862

Due to the various advantages they possess, epoxy latexes have been implemented in cementitious repair mortar mixes recently under the name polymer cementitious repair mortars (PCRM). To improve and develop the performance of cement mortar as polymeric repair materials, aqueous epoxy resins (0, 5, 10, and 15%) by weight of binder were utilized, together with four different ratios of silica fume (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) by weight of cement. At ages 7 and 28 days, the compressive strength of the modified mortar with epoxy and silica fume improved significantly as the ratios of additives (epoxy resin + silica fume) increased. The modified polymeric mortar's flexural strength was also increased. When 10 % epoxy resin was added (in the presence of 15% silica fume), the compressive strength was much increased by 52% at 28 days of age, when compared to the control mix without epoxy resin and silica fume. As for Flexural strength, the highest recorded improvement was 8.8% when adding 5% of epoxy resin and 15% of silica fume replacement, the combination of silica fume and epoxy resin also proved to make the repair mortar less water absorbent. Epoxy resins have a significant impact on the characteristics of modified cement mortar, By combining the diverse components in the matrix of binders (cement + silica fume) and their influence on filling and sealing gaps and cracks, while offering significantly higher strengths. epoxy resin generated as polymeric films enhanced the microstructure of the modified cement mortar. As a result, modified cement mortar (polymer + silica fume) can be utilized as a vital enhancement in the repair mortar for achieving structurally reliable solutions and slow the degradation of concrete in a variety of structures.

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Effects of Metakaolin and Nano-silica on Mechanical Properties of Sulphate Resistance Cement Mortar

Dec 15, 2023

Journal 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES (ICSDT2022)

publisher AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI 10.1063/5.0172365

Issue 1

Volume 2862

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Influence of water quality and slag on the development of mechanical properties of self compacting mortar

Mar 7, 2022

Journal Materials today: proceedings

DOI 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.02.575

Issue part 2

Volume 57

The present research deals with the impact of the quality of water sources as an alternative to tap water on the hardened and fresh characteristics of self-compacting mortar. Laboratory chemical tests were carried out for water samples collected from four sources- non-potable well water, Tigris river water, untreated wastewater from local factories, and tap water. Water from the four sources was used to pour self-compacted mortar specimens in presence of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as pozzolanic materials up to 30% with 10% increment which replaced with cement by weight. Slump flow diameter, V-shape flow time, compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption ratio tests were performed for self-compacted mortar specimens. The experimental results showed a slight improvement in slump flow of self-composted mortar mixtures using non-potable well water in the presence of 10% GGBFS. There is a significant improvement in slump flow for mixtures that used Tigris River water as an alternative to tap water. The compressive strength of self-compacted mortar at 7 and 28 days using Tigris river water, in the presence of10%, 20%, and 30% GGBFS were developed better than non-potable well water and untreated wastewater.

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The effect of recycled plastic waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on characteristics of cement mortar

Aug 31, 2021

Journal Journal of Physics: Conference Series

publisher IOPscience

DOI 10.1088/1742-6596/1973/1/012121

Issue 1

Volume 1973

This paper studied the effect of waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) on the workability and mechanical properties of the produced cement based mortar. However, five different waste PET weight fractions of 0, 5, 15, 25 and 50% were replaced with river sand in cement mortar mixtures with constant cement content and water to cement ratio of 525 kg/m3 and 0.48, respectively. The workability of the mixtures is enhanced by increasing the replacement level of plastic waste PET. On the other hand, the dry density, compressive and flexural strengths were reduced as waste PET incorporation increased except the mix contained 5% of PET which improved the compressive and flexural strengths. As a result of the dry density and compressive strength results, it was determined that the mixture containing 25% waste PET is considered as a lightweight mortar and suitable for structural purposes.

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Enhancement of bonding efficiency between overlay and substrate concrete using styrene-butadiene rubber latex and different surface roughness methods

Jan 27, 2021

Journal Engineering and Applied Science Research (EASR)

publisher Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University

DOI 10.14456/easr.2021.4

Issue 1

Volume 48

The present study aims to accurately assess the binding efficiency between the substrate and the overlay using Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Latex (SBR) and ordinary Portland cement as a bonding mortar. Four different roughening techniques for the substrate surface were compared: surface roughening with a steel wire brush;, surface roughening by scarifying double parallel grooves in one direction; surface roughening by scarifying double parallel grooves in two directions; and surface roughening by scarifying double parallel grooves in one direction, drilling the substrate, and fixing screws in the double grooves. A total of 24 repaired prism specimens were tested for flexural strength with 45° and 90° angles between overlay and substrate. The cylinder specimens were also tested for splitting tensile strength and for slant shear strength at a 30° angle between overlay and substrate. The repaired specimens were cured at 23±2°C for 28 days before the flexural, splitting, and slant shear strength tests were performed. The experimental tests indicated that the best bonding strength was obtained in flexural strength tests when the surfaces were roughened by scarifying, carefully drilling the substrate, and fixing screws in the double grooves at a 45° angle between overlay and substrate.

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Anchorage behavior of headed bars in reinforced concrete beams

Jan 13, 2021

Journal Structures

publisher Elsevier Ltd

DOI 10.1016/j.istruc.2020.12.066

Volume 29

Nine simply supported reinforced concrete beams of dimensions 150 × 150 × 700 mm have been tested to study the anchorage behavior of installed headed bars. The variables included the size of the added head plate, debonded length and loading type. Therefore, four head areas 28*28, 32*32, 35*35 and 38*38 mm, three debonded lengths 0, 300 and 600 mm and two loading types (one-point load and two-point load) are used in this research. The test results of load failure values, type of failure and deflection for eight beams provided with plate head and one beam of the non-head bar are being obtained. It was found that the value of load failure increased with using higher plate head size and lower debonding length. Furthermore, the percentages of decrease in deflection for beams that have head net size Anh/Ab (2.9, 4, 5, and 6) are 29%, 36%,38% and 44% respectively, and 12% and 55% when beams with debonding length 300 and 600 mm compared with beams of full bonded (zero debonded length). While the load failure for beams tested under two-points load was greater than beams which were tested under one-point load.

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Effect of wood waste as a partial replacement of cement, fine and coarse aggregate on physical and mechanical properties of concrete blocks units

Dec 15, 2019

Journal International Journal of Integrated Engineering (IJIE)

publisher Penerbit UTHM

DOI https://publisher.uthm.edu.my/ojs/index.php/ijie/article/view/4249

Issue 8

Volume 11

Wood waste has been used in concrete in 19th century. Its light-weight and cost effectiveness are main recognized characteristics. To reduce the environmental burden, nowadays developed countries have opportunities to use wood waste in concrete construction. This research presents experimental program results on mechanical and physical properties of ninety-six specimens of concrete blocks units. The experimental program concluded three groups of mixes plus the control mix. In Group 1 and Group 2, sawdust waste has been used as a partial replacement of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by volume of cement and sand respectively. In Group 3, wood waste aggregate has been used as a partial replacement of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by volume of coarse aggregate. The specimens were conditioned for 28-days at 80±5% Relative humidity and 24±2°C and tested. Slump, compressive strength, water absorption, dry density, porosity and thermal conductivity tests have been conducted. The compressive strength of concrete blocks units decreased due to the effect of sawdust waste and wood waste aggregate by increasing the replacement ratio instead of cement, sand and coarse aggregate. The results showed the mixes of group1 and group2 produced structural concrete blocks units at 20% replacement ratio of sawdust waste instead of cement and sand respectively. Also, the results showed that light-weight concrete blocks units can be obtained at a 25% and 30% replacement ratio in all groups with satisfactory compressive strength. The optimum replacement ratio was about 20% in the three groups so that physical and mechanical properties were satisfactory. This may be considered a solution not only to the problem of the environment but also to the problem of economics in the design of buildings.

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Effect of Partial Replacement of Fly Ash and Expanded Polystyrene waste on Properties of Geopolymer Concrete Bricks

Dec 8, 2019

Journal Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology

publisher Semarak Ilmu Publishing

DOI 2-s2.0-85121720988

Issue 1

Volume 17

The present experimental investigation was mainly focused on two major axes. The first one was the possibility of producing lightweight geopolymer concrete bricks using expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste and fly ash. The second axis was predicting the physical and mechanical properties of the geopolymer concrete bricks using nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques. (NDT) techniques viz Schmidt rebound hammer (RH), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and ((SonReb)) combined method. The NDT techniques were performed to compare the accuracy between the RH, UPV and ((SonReb)) method in predicting compressive strength of geopolymer concrete bricks. For these purposes, 25 different geopolymer concrete mixes were designed using EPS with different ratios (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) as a partial replacement of coarse aggregates and fly ash (class F) by (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%) as partial replacement of cement. A combination of sodium hydroxide (10M) and sodium silicate solution was used as an alkaline activator with a ratio of Na2SiO3/NaOH kept at 2.0, geopolymer bricks were designed with dimensions of 240 * 120 * 80 mm (6 bricks per mix). The physical and mechanical properties of the geopolymer concrete bricks were studied. Non-destructive testing techniques NDT has been used to predict correlation relationships between UPV, RH and compressive strength of geopolymer bricks. Different empirical formulas were proposed correlating the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete to RH, UPV and combined (SonReb) method. The validity of the empirical formulas was tested and compared with experimental relationships developed by previous researchers.