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Improving concrete resistance to low temperature sulfate attack through carbonation curing

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Abstract

Carbonation curing of concrete can accelerate cement hydration and convert gaseous CO2 into embedded calcium carbonates. However, it’s commonly understood that concrete containing high amounts of calcium carbonates, as in the case of Portland limestone cement (PLC), is highly susceptible to low temperature sulfate attack. Therefore, this study investigated whether the same vulnerability applies to carbonation-cured concrete prepared from either ordinary Portland cement or PLC. It was found that calcium carbonates introduced through carbonation improved sulfate durability, unlike the compromising limestone additive in PLC. This was demonstrated by resilience against sulfate-induced spalling, expansion, and strength reduction. Gypsum, thaumasite and brucite were detected in severely damaged hydrated PLC specimens upon low temperature sulfate exposure. However, they were not found in the carbonated PLC specimens. Enhanced resistance to low temperature sulfate attack was attributed to reduction in permeability; consumption of calcium hydroxide; and decrease in the pH value of the pore solution.

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Acknowledgements

The financial support by Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada is greatly appreciated.

Funding

This study was funded by Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.

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  1. Shipeng Zhanga and Zaid Ghouleh have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada

    Shipeng Zhang, Zaid Ghouleh, Alain Azar & Yixin Shao

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  1. Shipeng Zhang
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Correspondence to Yixin Shao.

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Zhang, S., Ghouleh, Z., Azar, A. et al. Improving concrete resistance to low temperature sulfate attack through carbonation curing. Mater Struct 54, 37 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01626-9

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