Effect of cement type on the transport properties of crushed sand concrete

Crushed sand is a by-product of gravel production in limestone quarries. Its use in concrete is hindered by its high level of fines. In this paper an experimental study of the effect of three different types of cements on durability properties of crushed sand concrete containing different amounts of limestone fines (0, 5, 15 and 25%) is investigated. The water to cementitious material ratio of 0.65 was kept constant for all mixtures. Results on compressive strength, gas permeability, chloride-ion penetration, and sorptivity measured at the age of 90 days are presented. Generally, the results show that the use of limestone fines at higher level reduces concrete strength at long-term for all types of cement. From durability point of view, concrete mixtures with limestone fines exhibit lower resistance to chloride-ion penetration and comparable sorptivity values for all cements types. However, the resistance to gas permeability was improved for some concrete mixtures at 15% of limestone fines.