Comparative Study of Strength and Corrosion Resistant Properties of Plain and Blended Cement Concrete Types

Abstract

The relative performances of mechanical, permeability, and corrosion resistance properties of different concrete types were compared. Concrete types were made from ordinary Portland cement (OPC), Portland pozzolana cement (PPC), and Portland slag cement (PSC). Compressive strength test, effective porosity test, coefficient of water absorption, short-term accelerated impressed voltage test, and rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) were conducted on M30 and M40 grades of concrete designed with OPC, PPC, and PSC cements for 28- and 90-day cured concrete types. Long-term studies such as microcell and electrochemical evaluation were carried out to understand the corrosion behaviour of rebar embedded in different concrete types. Better corrosion resistant properties were observed for PSC concrete by showing a minimum current flow, lowest free chloride contents, and lesser porosity. Besides, PSC concrete has shown less coefficient of water absorption, chloride diffusion coefficient (CDC), and lower corrosion rate and thereby the time taken for initiation of crack extended.