The behaviour of self-compacting concrete subjected to an external sulphate attack

Abstract

The research presented in this communication relates to the effect of external sulphate attack on self-compacting concretes. In this aim, four types of self-compacting concretes were made out of Algerian cements, aggregates and adjuvants. Each concrete has been subjected to three external sulphate attack protocols: total immersion, immersion-drying at 105°C and immersion-drying at 60°C. Although all behaviours are not fully stabilized, it is already possible to identify the main conclusions. Two different behaviours of our concretes were distinguished: some concrete samples were damaged by the external sulphate attack whereas other concretes samples were damaged by the salts precipitation. © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009.