Measuring chloride binding in cementitious materials: A review by RILEM TC 298-EBD

Abstract

The phase assemblage evolution of binders with novel supplementary cementitious materials (SCMS) during exposure to adverse environments needs to be quantified to accelerate their adoption, and further optimize binder formulation. As such, the interaction between chloride and cementitious matrices with novel SCMs needs to be quantified. The goal of workgroup 2 of RILEM TC EBD-298 is to assess the methods used to quantify chloride binding. This state-of-the-art report reviews the standardized and novel methods to measure chloride binding through an average content (acid/water soluble) or a specific bound content per phase (XRD, TGA, SEM–EDS, …). Each method is presented with respect to our current understanding of chloride binding and speciation in cementitious materials. The discussion around the purpose, use and reporting of each method highlights the gaps limiting the comparison between studies, in particular the lack of standard protocol, and complementary characterization. This review is the groundwork for a “cookbook” of experimental workflows to investigate chloride binding in modern cementitious binders.