The Resistance of High Strength Concrete with Diatomaceous Earth As Cement Replacement to Nacl Attack

Abstract

Abstract High strength concrete (HSC) requires high amount of cement in order to make it more dense and compact. Using diatomaceous earth (DE) is an alternative to reduce the cement content in HSC. In this study the DE was used as cement replacement at the 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% replacement levels. The water to binder ratio was 0.3. The type F superplasticizer at 1.5% of cement weight was added. The DE was first ground, sieved with sieve #200 and calcined at 600°C for 5 hours before it used as cementitious material. The 50 mm cube specimens were prepared, cured in the water for 28 days, and then immersed in 10% NaCl solusion. After 1 and 2 months of immersion period, the surface visual appearance, mass and compressive strength of the specimens were examined and compared with the unimmersed specimens. The surface visual appearance shows that the HSC with 15% has smallest damaged as well as smallest degradation of compressive strength. However, the smallest mass loss was obtained at the HSC with 5% DE content.