Study on the Durability of Road Concrete with Blast Furnace Slag Affected by the Corrosion Initiated by Chloride

Abstract

In order to assess the resistance of the road concrete to the penetration of the chloride ions, we used the rapid test RCPT in compliance with ASTM C1202. But, in order to increase the reliability of the rapid test of assessing the resistance of chloride ions’ permeability through measurements of the electrical conductivity, after finishing the RCPT test, we have also measured the depth of the chloride front migrating in the concrete. Road concrete mixtures were prepared in which blast furnace slag (GGBS) was incorporated as a binder and blast furnace slag (ABS) as crushed slag aggregate to the size of 0/4 mm. The effect of the blast furnace slag on the RCPT results was investigated and correlated with porosity trends, carbonatation layer depth, and with the compression strength values, by comparison with the level of results obtained on concrete mixtures made with conventional materials. The measurement of the migrated chlorine front in the concrete together with the determined physical and mechanical characteristics confirms the efficiency of the blast furnace slag incorporated in the concrete and supports the reliability of the rapid penetration test of chlorine ions RCPT using the procedure from ASTM C 1202.