The effect of pore microstructure on strength and chloride ingress in blended cement based on low kaolin clay

The objective of this study is to analyse the mechanical and durability properties of a high-performance mortars based on low grade kaolin clay and the effect of electrical conductivity and pore microstructure on the chloride penetration resistance. A total of six mixes were prepared with binary and ternary binders in which a high volume of cement was replaced by low-grade calcined kaolin clay, fly ash and limestone powder. The percentage of kaolinite in the clay used from the Southeast European region was less than 20%. The variations in compressive strength and chloride transport coefficient were analysed experimentally and related to the pore structure and electrical conductivity. Compressive strength, chloride migration and diffusion coefficients, and bulk conductivity were determined using mortar samples, while the pore size distribution was determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) on hardened cement paste after 7,28, and 90 days of curing. To understand the capillary absorption of these mixtures, sorptivity indices were measured after 28 and 90 days. The experimental characteristics of the pore size distribution, such as mean pore entry radius (r(0.5)), permeable porosity (P), capillary porosity (?), and critical pore diameter (r(c)), were calculated using the cumulative data of the intruded volume as a function of pressure obtained by MIP. In addition, the extrusion-intrusion curve was used to calculate the pore entrapment fraction (alpha) and the degree of interconnectivity of the pore structure. The evolution of pore structure parameters was monitored for up to 90 days and their effects on strength and chloride penetration were studied in detail. The results showed that all mixes (even those with low kaolinite content) can be used in high performance cement systems and the pore structure has a limited effect on chloride penetration.