A comparative study of the volume stability of C–S–H (I) and Portland cement paste in aqueous salt solutions

Abstract

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste specimens and compacted C–S–H (I) powders were immersed in distilled water and aqueous salt solutions of varying concentration to study their volume change behavior. Immersion resulted in ionic interaction leading to various degrees of expansion, leaching, softening and dissolution of the test samples. In all cases relatively rapid expansion occurred. The expansion of C–S–H (I) in aggressive media was found …