Effects of portland composite and composite cements on durability of mortar and permeability of concrete

In this study, the effects of Portland composite and composite cement on the properties of cement paste, durability of mortar and permeability of concrete were investigated. The results were compared with reference mixture of cement paste, mortar and concrete made with Portland cement. The ratio of water to cementitious materials (W/Cm) in cement paste, mortar and concrete mixtures were determined in a way that all the similar mixtures had the same workability. Flexural tensile and compressive strength of mortar samples containing Portland Composite and Composite cement were determined at various ages. In cement paste samples, the shortest and longest setting time was obtained in samples made with Portland and composite cement, respectively. Also, maximum amount of volume expansion was found in the sample made with Portland composite cement. Mortar samples made with Portland composite and composite cement had lower strength values than the reference mortar mixture at early ages but at 28 days and later ages they had higher strength values than the reference mixture. In durability tests, there was no loss of weight and cracks in mortar mixture samples made with Portland composite and composite cement when they were held in microthiol, Na2SO4 and MgSO4 solutions. Also, no water leakage was observed through the concrete samples made with Portland composite and composite cement when they were held under five-bar pressurized water.