EFFECTS OF SALTWATER ON CONCRETE

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the effects of saltwater on concrete properties made with a water-cement ratio of 0.5 and mix proportion of 1:1.6:4.4. Concrete cubes were cast and cured in fresh water and saltwater environments. A total of 108 cubes were prepared for compressive strength testing and water absorption test using a 100mm x 100mm x 100mm wooden mould. For compressive strength tests, 9 cubes were mixed and cured in fresh water serving as the control, 36 cubes were mixed with salt water (10%,15%,20% and 30%) and cured in fresh water, 36 cubes were mixed with saltwater and cured in their respective saltwater percentage. Therefore, 81 cubes in total were subjected to compression test and cured at 7days, 14days and 28 days respectively. The average compressive strength for concrete cured in freshwater and saltwater ranges from 12.603N/mm2 – 28.265N/mm2 and 10.691-17.369N/mm2 respectively. While for water absorption test, 27 cubes were tested, with 4 mixed and cured in fresh water, 11 mixed in saltwater but cured in fresh water, and 12 mixed in saltwater and cured in their respective saltwater percentage. Additionally, this study utilized other tests like sieve analysis of fine aggregate and aggregate crushing value test for coarse aggregates, standard consistency test, setting time of cement and bleeding tests of fresh concrete using a mix ratio 1:2:4.