Influence of temperature, cement type and level of concrete consolidation on chloride ingress in conventional and high-strength concretes

The present work reports the results of an investigation conducted to evaluate the influence of temperature, cement type and level of consolidation of concrete on chloride ingress into conventional and high-strength concretes. Four concrete mixes having the same workability were made, two with an ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and two with sulphate-resisting cement (SRPC). Concrete specimens were exposed to 5% sodium chloride solutions with temperatures of 20 and 45 degrees C for a period of 180 days. The results indicate that an increase in the solution temperature considerably increases the chloride ingress in conventional and high-strength concretes, especially up to depths of 45 mm. Data also indicate that OPC performs better than SRPC in terms of chloride diffusion. Furthermore, the chloride diffusion also increased with a decrease in the level of concrete consolidation. High-strength concrete showed a better performance against chloride ingress than conventional concrete. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.