The Durability of Ultra High Strength Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Material

Abstract

The technology of concrete greatly evolved in the recent years. The use of cements with a high dosage and the addition of fibres allowed a very compacted cementitious matrix. This fact may greatly affect the durability of a cementitious system. In this work, the durability of an ultra high strength fibre reinforced concrete was studied. The microstructure was dense, compact and exhibited a low capillary and total porosity as well as water permeability. Fluid resin penetration tests under pressure also showed a local difference in the penetration depth: from a thin surface layer to local small regions. Thus, the penetration potential of salts and water transporting degrading substances from the surface was reduced. The cement-based material was exposed to accelerated freeze/thaw and sulphate penetration tests, to clarify the durability and the capability of the low porous matrix to withstand the ingress of substances. In both cases the resistance was significantly higher as compared to conventional concrete. The crystalline quartz-rich matrix and the chemistry also played a relevant role in the low degradation of the system.