A study of mortars prepared with fly ash and silica fume for use in structures exposed to marine enviroments

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate different mortar mixtures containing 5, 10 and 15% P/P silica fume and 5, 10, 12.5, 15 and 17.5% P/P fly ash to be used for repairing/constructing reinforced concrete structures exposed to marine environments. These were evaluated from the following standpoints: physical-chemical (capillary absorption and effective porosity); mechanical (compressive strength); electrochemical (lineal polarization, cyclic polarizacion and rapid chloride permeation); morphological (scanning electron microscopy). Results showed that 15 % silica fume mixture whith no fly ash gave the best performance from both the physical-mechanical as well as the economic standpoint.