Durability of sea-sand containing concrete: Effects of chloride ion penetration

This paper describes an orthogonal experiment on the effect of water/cement ratio, water consumption per cubic meter, curing time, and type of sand on the response “resistance to chloride ion penetration”. A sea-sand containing concrete was used for the trials. An analysis of chloride ion diffusion coefficients at different factor levels was performed. A predictive model of chloride ion diffusion in concrete is developed through regression analysis. The experimental results show that when the water/cement ratio varies from 0.45 to 0.60, and the water consumption per cubic meter varies from 185 to 215 kg, and the curing time varies from 30 to 180 d then the size of the effects fall in the order (most significant first): curing time, type of sand, water consumption per cubic meter, and water/cement ratio. Chloride ion penetration is reduced, and better durability of the concrete is observed, with longer curing times, less water consumption per cubic meter, and a smaller water/cement ratio.