INFLUENCE OF AGGREGATE MINERALOGY ON THE GEOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE CONCRETE INTERFACIAL ZONE

Rock aggregates are commonly used in making concrete and, as the largest constituent accounting for 70-80% of the total volume, their properties can be very significant in the overall behaviour of the final product. This study examines the relationship between aggregate mineralogy and the geochemical behaviour of the concrete interfacial zone, and compares the influence of two aggregates – a Carboniferous limestone from Coldstones Quarry, northern England, and a granite from Johor, Malaysia. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and petrographic analysis using polarised light microscopy were used to determine the chemical and mineralogical composition of the aggregate materials. The geochemical properties of the concrete interface were also studied by treating both aggregates with cement solution at 20°C and 70°C. After various periods ranging from 1 to 28 days, ions such as Ca²⁺, K⁺, Al³⁺, Na⁺, Si⁴⁺ and Fe²⁺ were analysed by inductive coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry.

• INTRODUCTION

• EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

• RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

• CONCLUSIONS

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• REFERENCES