Sulfate Attack According to the Quantity of Composition of Cement and Mineral Admixtures
The primary factors affecting concrete sulfate resistance are the chemical composition of the Portland cement, and the chemistry and quantity of mineral admixtures. To investigate the effect of those on the sulfate attack, the testing program involved several different mortar mixes using the standardized test, ASTM C1012. Four different cements were evaluated, including one Type I cement, two Type I-II cements, and one Type V cement. Mortar mixes were also made with mineral admixtures, as each cement was combined with three different types of mineral admixtures. One Class F fly ash, one Class C fly ash, and one ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were added in various percent volumetric replacement levels. Expansion measurements were taken and investigated with the expansion criteria recommended by ASTM.