Physicochemical properties and autogenous healing performance of ternary blended binders composed of OPC-BFS-CSA clinker

Abstract

Autogenous healing of concrete can be helpful in structural maintenance by healing cracks using a healing material created by the precipitation of calcite and by the hydration of unhydrated binder around the cracks. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the physicochemical properties and autogenous healing performance of ternary blended binder composed of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), blast furnace slag (BFS), and calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) clinker. Ternary blended binders with various contents of OPC-BFS-CSA clinker were prepared, and their physicochemical properties and autogenous healing performances were examined using various analytical techniques and visually observed using a microscope. The obtained results indicated that increase in the BFS content accompanied the increased the amount of unreacted BFS even after 28 days of curing and had a positive effect on the autogenous healing performance due to its latent hydration. However, replacing the CSA clinker did not increase the autogenous healing performance owing to an insufficient sulfate source for the formation of ettringite. The main precipitates around the cracks were calcite, C-S-H. Other hydration products such as portlandite, monosulfate, and ettringite, which were not found in the Raman and scanning electron microscope analyses.