Effect of cement type and limestone particle size on the durability of steam cured self-consolidating concrete

This paper describes a laboratory program to investigate the influence of cement and limestone filler (LF) particle size on the hardened properties and durability performance of steam cured self-consolidating concrete. In addition, the interplay between cement type and LF particle size was investigated. CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Type GU (General Use) and HE (High Early-strength) cements were used with 5% silica fume (SF) [1]. The water-to-cement ratio was 0.34. LF with two nominal particle sizes of 17 μm and 3 μm, which correspond to Blaine fineness of 475 and 1125 m2/kg, respectively, were used. In addition to fresh concrete properties, hardened properties including compressive strength, elastic modulus, ultrasonic pulse velocity and density were measured at 12 h and 16 h, and at 3, 7 and 28 days. Indicators of durability performance including rapid chloride permeability testing (RCPT), sulfate resistance, linear shrinkage, salt scaling resistance and freeze-thaw resistance were evaluated. The results showed that LF improved the 12 and 16-h strength with no influence on later age strength (i.e., 3-28 days). The linear shrinkage and RCPT decreased with the addition of LF. This reduction was linked to the production of calcium mono-carboaluminate. LF did not impact the sulfate resistance, salt scaling resistance or freeze-thaw resistance of concrete.