Detection of Thaumasite Formation Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 31, Issue 9
Abstract
Thaumasite sulfate attack was studied on mortars containing portland-limestone cements and various supplementary cementing materials. The resistance of the mortar mixtures against deterioration was quantified by measuring expansion of mortar prisms for 2 years according to current Canadian standards. In order to characterize the products formed from thaumasite sulfate attack reactions in the mortar samples, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed, and the observations were verified using X-ray diffraction. It was observed that, for the studied mortar samples exposed to thaumasite sulfate attack, thaumasite could be identified using DSC due to its distinct endothermic peak located between 110°C and 119°C. In addition, endothermic peak ranges for ettringite or calcium silicate hydrates and gypsum were found as 88°C–105°C and 120°C–134°C, respectively. DSC was found to be a reliable technique in studying concrete and mortar affected by thaumasite formation, which may be used as a replacement or complement for X-ray diffraction.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of CRIB (Centre de recherche sur les infrastructures en béton), a Strategic Cluster of FQRNT (Fonds de recherche du Québec—Nature et technologies). As well, the donation of materials by Ciment Quebec and Holcim Canada are gratefully recognized. Furthermore, the authors highly appreciate the cooperation of Monique Riendeau, the technician of materials engineering lab at McGill University.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 31 • Issue 9 • September 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 9, 2018
Accepted: Mar 18, 2019
Published online: Jun 18, 2019
Published in print: Sep 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Nov 18, 2019
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