Influence of PCE-SP and calcium nitrite inhibitor on mechanical and durability parameters of concrete

Abstract

This paper presents the results on the effect of polycarboxylic ether superplasticizer (PCE-SP) and calcium nitrite based corrosion inhibitor on the mechanical and durability parameters of concrete. Effect of water to cement ratio (w/c) as well as the type of cement, namely, ordinary portland cement (OPC) and fly ash based portland pozolana cement (PPC) was also studied. The studies reveal that the compressive strengths of OPC and PPC concretes with PCE-SP are found to be similar to that of their respective control concretes (OPC and PPC concrete alone). Nevertheless, the durability parameters such as rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT) value and sorptivity were improved. Hence, the use of PCE-SP must be encouraged for making durable concrete. When calcium nitrite inhibitor (CNI) is added to the concrete, a reduction in compressive strength was noticed. Also, there was an increase in the RCPT values compared to that of control concrete. This may be due to high ionic nature of CNI, which causes more negative charges to pass through concrete. Based on the study, it can be said that CNI influences the mechanical and durability properties and hence can be used with proper care.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">

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