Effect of sodium phosphate and sodium nitrate on microstructure of alkali-activated slag cement pastes and properties of reinforced concrete under cyclic drying-wetting in sea water

Abstract

The relevance of alkali activated slag cement (AASC) concretes for marine structures is due to their enhanced resistance to sea water. However, cyclic influence of sea water and drying under the action of atmospheric carbonic gas in actual operating conditions cause risks of both deterioration of concrete and corrosion of steel reinforcement. These risks increase in case of fresh concretes with high consistency. Application of salts of strong acids, i.e. sodium phosphate and sodium nitrate, in combination with complex multifunctional additive «portland cement - alumina cement - clinoptilolite» was proposed to protect plasticized AASC concrete from the influence of cyclic drying-wetting in sea water with combination of exposure classes XC4 and XS3. It was shown the advanced crystallization of AASC microstructure due to the mentioned salts as admixtures. Corrosion resistance potential of AASC concrete can be improved due to application of specified salts in combination with the mentioned complex additive as factor of aggressive ions (Cl-, SO42- and CO32-) binding. The modified in proposed way plasticized AASC concrete was characterized by the advanced performances, i.e. pore structure, structural density, strength, corrosion resistance, state of steel reinforcement after 90 cycles of wetting/drying in sea water.