X-ray CT monitoring of macro void development in mortars exposed to sulfate attack

Ilker Tekin, Recep Birgul and Huseyin Y. Aruntas

Abstract

This study reports the results of nondestructive monitoring of macro void developments in mortars manufactured with both ordinary Portland cement and sulfate resistant cement. Two types of curing were utilized; tap water curing and another curing environment that contains 5% Na2(SO4) solution. Being the primary objective of this study, macro void developments of the mortar specimens were monitored by X-ray Medical Computerized Tomography. Compressive strength tests and water absorption tests were conducted on specimens that were kept in both curing environments for a duration of 560 days. Data analyses yielded consistent results among the three tests used in this experimental study. Macro void ratios of mortars decreased at the beginning of experiments for a certain period; afterwards, macro void ratios increased. The objective of this study was accomplished as anticipated since X-CT image analysis was able to nondestructively monitor macro void development process in cement mortars.

Key Words

mortar; porosity; sulfate attack; image analysis; Computerized Tomography

Address

Ilker Tekin: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bayburt University, Bayburt, Turkey Recep Birgul: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey Huseyin Y. Aruntas: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

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