Influence of Internal Sulfate Attack on Some Properties of Self Compacted Concrete

Abstract

      Self-compacted concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable concrete, with no segregation which can be spread into place by filling the structures framework and permeate the reinforcement without any compaction or mechanical consolidation ACI 237R-14. One of the most important problems faced by concrete industry in Iraq and Gulf Arab land is deterioration due to internal sulfate attack (ISA) that causes damage of concrete and consequently reduces its compressive strength, increases expansion and may lead to its cracking and destruction. The experimental program was focused to study two ordinary Portland cements with different chemical composition with (5, 10 and 15) % percentage of high reactivity metakaoline (HRM) as a cement replacement and with W/Cm ratio 0.35. The SCC mixes with AL Shemalia OPC cement that produced in Saudi Arabia (C3 A=7.02%) shows higher resistance to ISA than mixes with Tasluja OPC cement that is produced in Iraq (C3 A=4.13%).  The results indicate that the SCC mixes containing 15% HRM shows higher opposition to ISA. A good correlation was obtained between concrete splitting tensile strength and compressive strength from the results of this study.