Influence of the SO₃ Content of Cement on the Durability and Strength of Concrete Exposed to Sodium Sulfate Environment

Author

Amin A. Hanhan, University of South Florida

Graduation Year

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.C.E.

Degree Granting Department

Civil Engineering

Major Professor

Abla Zayed, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Rajan Sen, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Ram Pendyala, Ph.D.

Keywords

Sulfur Trioxide, Compressive Strength, Expansion, Gypsum, Sulfate Attack

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to assess the influence of the SO₃ content on the durability and strength of portland cement.

Four portland cements were used in this study. The cements had a variable tricalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and alkali contents, as well as differences in the amount and form of calcium sulfates. The SO₃ content of the cements was increased by replacing part of the cement by gypsum according to ASTM C 452-95.

Mortar bars and cubes were prepared for the as-received as well as for the cements with an SO₃ content of 3.0% and 3.6%. The durability of the as-received and doped cements was determined by measuring the length change of the mortar bars that were exposed to sodium sulfate environment. The compressive strength of the mortar cubes prepared for the same mixes was measured at different ages for sets of cubes cured both in sodium sulfate solution and in saturated lime solution.

It was concluded at the end of this study that there is an optimum SO₃ content for the lowest expansion that is different from that determined for the highest compressive strength. Optimum values also differed from one cement to another and from one age to another for the same cement. The results also indicate the dependence of SO₃ content on tricalcium aluminate and alkali content of cements. In addition, for all cements examined in this study with alkali content of less than 0.60%, increasing the SO₃ content above 3.0% had negative effects on durability assessed by strength or expansion measurements. For the cement with highest alkali and tricalcium aluminate content, increasing the SO₃ content from 3.0% to 3.6% delayed the onset of strength drop; however, at 360 days the strength drop experienced by both doping levels was the same.

Scholar Commons Citation

Hanhan, Amin A., "Influence of the SO₃ Content of Cement on the Durability and Strength of Concrete Exposed to Sodium Sulfate Environment" (2004). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/1066