Combined influence of carbonation and leaching on freeze-thaw resistance of limestone ternary cement concrete

Performance of OPC and composite cements including limestone ternary blended concretes pastes exposed to natural carbonation, leaching, freeze-thaw (FT) cycles their coupling were investigated. The combined regime is analogous the Capillary suction, internal damage Freeze-thaw (CIF) test. test results showed that cement are more susceptible surface scaling damage. Microanalysis complementary revealed partial carbonation after equilibration at 65% RH. Decalcification due leaching accompanied capillary profound in partially carbonated such portlandite was depleted from before FT commenced. Successive increased porosity; heterogeneity coarsening pore structures drastic when preceded FT, modifying C-S-H morphology composition. Curtailing reduced comparable levels as same strength class. These findings imply changes porosity phase assemblage caused by contributed susceptibility.