As part of research to develop a highly durable concrete container for radioactive waste disposal in chloride and sulfate bearing granite groundwaters, a variety of cement pastes were studied. A sulfate resisting portland cement was used with various replacement levels of Class F fly ash and pelletized blast furnace slag at a water to solids ratio (W/S) = 0.36. Blends with fly ash, slag, and silica fume were also combined with a super water reducer at W/S = 0.25. Results are presented for strength development, permeability to water, and pore size distribution after 7, 28, 91, and 182 days moist curing. As a direct measure of durability, after 91 days moist curing, paste prisms were immersed in both de-ionized water and a synthetic chloride and sulfate bearing groundwater at 70°C.

This book considers the properties of grouts, and how they may be formulated for different purposes, and application areas where the advantages of grouts have been assessed and ratified. Case studies illustrate benefits, problems and future potential. The book gathers together a substantial amount of information on grout properties, utilisation and

Durability of concrete is greatly influenced by the permeability of the cement paste which in turn is governed by the pore size distribution. Some mineral and chemical admixtures are known to enhance the durability of portland cement concrete. The objective of this work was to investigate how the pore size distribution and permeability of portland cement pastes are modified by the addition of pozzolanic admixtures, blast furnace slag, and chloride salts. The effectiveness of pozzolans in reducing the volume of large pores and permeability was found to depend on the reactivity of the pozzolan used. Large additions of granulated blast furnace slag increased the total pore volume, however the pore size distribution was shifted toward finer pores and therefore the permeability of the paste was reduced. Among the chloride admixtures, namely calcium, magnesium, and sodium chloride, magnesium chloride was most effective in reducing both the volume of large pores and permeability of the cement pastes.