The most suitable techiniques and methods to identify high alumina cement and based portland cement in concretes

Abstract

Instrumental techniques are indicated and the most adequated methodologies for determining the nature of the binder in concretes are explained. These methods are: a) Determination of the Silicic Moduli through chemical analysis of the sample. This test reveáis very different valúes between cement portland based concrete and high alumina cement based concretes. b) X-ray diffraction. It is considered as the best method. In the present paper the main diffraction Unes corresponding to the components of hydrated portland cement and high alumina cement, are given. As complementary methods having as limited use, DTA and TG are studied. The most significative changes of the hydrated phases of both cements when heated are shown. A valoration of the Oxine test is also done as well as a description of using the characteristic colour of the high alumina cement as a practical indicator for determining its presence in concretes. Finally, comments on the significance of the presence of different CaCO3 polymorhisms in portland cement concrete and high alumina cement concrétete are also done.