Title:
Properties of High-Performance, Heat-Cured Slag Cement Concrete for Bridge Structures
Author(s):
S. L. Mak, G. Foster, G. Chirgwin and D. W. S. Ho
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
172
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
821-836
Keywords:
Blast furnace slag; blended cement; creep properties; heat curing;
modulus of elasticity; shrinkage; sorption; strength; water
DOI:
10.14359/6165
Date:
12/1/1999
Abstract:
High performance concretes containing blended cements are increasingly specified in the construction of major infrastructure, such as bridges, in the interest of durability. Whilst there is an increasing body of evidence showing that blended cement concretes can enhance durability when used properly, most of this data relates to concretes at standard temperature conditions. Data on the engineering properties and durability-related performance of heat-treated blended cement concretes are still very scarce. The performance of heat-treated concretes is very relevant since precast structural elements subjected to heat curing are often used in the construction of bridges. Recently, a major investigation on the performance of heat-treated concretes containing ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) was undertaken jointly by the CSIRO and the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales. This research was aimed at obtaining an under-standing of both short-term and time-dependent behaviour of concretes containing BFS binders that have been subjected to heat treatment. Short-term results point to the improvements in the quality of BFS concretes subjected to heat-accelerated conditioning (HAC) without major impairment to either short-term strength or elastic modulus. Concretes containing BFS subjected to HAC also showed reduced drying shrinkage and creep.