Effect of the Pore Structure of Concrete on the Compressive Strength of Concrete and Chloride Ions Diffusivity into the Concrete

The transport characteristics of deleterious ions such as chlorides depend on the pore structures of concrete and are the major factors in the durability of concrete structures in subjected to chloride attack such as in marine environments. In this paper, the effect of the pore structure on compressive strength and chloride diffusivity of concrete was investigated. Six types of concretes were tested. The pore volume of concrete containing mineral admixtures increased in the range of 3∼30nm due to micro filling effect of hydrates of the mineral admixtures. There was a good correlation between the median pore diameter, the pore volume above 50nm and compressive strength of concrete, but there was not a significant correlation between the total pore volume and compressive strength. The relationship between compressive strength and chloride diffusivity were not well correlated, however, pore volume above 50nm were closely related to the chloride diffusion coefficient.