Influence of cement and aggregate type on thaumasite formation in concrete

In this study the influence of binder type on the formation of thaumasite in mortar prisms made with expanded clay lightweight aggregate (LWA) or quartz sand was examined. For this purpose mortar prisms were made, which after 28 days of curing in deionised water were exposed to a sulphate solution or deionised water. The length and weight change of the prisms was recorded in triplicate as a function of time of exposure to dry–wet cycles at 5 ± 1 °C.The influence of the binder type on the expansion in the sulphate solution can be ordered from strong to weak as follows: (1) CEM I + limestone filler, (2) CEM I, (3) CEM I + fly ash, and (4) CEM III/A. Because the porosity of the LWA was able to accommodate the growing sulphate crystals, the mortar prisms made with LWA were still largely intact after 3 years of exposure. The only exception being the mortar prisms containing limestone filler. The mortar prisms made with quartz sand and exposed to the sulphate solution were all bent, broken or disintegrated after 24 weeks. The prisms exposed to deionised water showed minimal expansion. Key factors controlling the formation of thaumasite are discussed.