Properties of BRECEM - Ten-year results

The compressive strengths of 0.45 and 0.56 w/c ratio concretes made from mixtures of "Ciment Fondu" calcium aluminate cement and ground granulated blast furnace slag (BRECEM) have been measured after 10 years' ageing in water at 20 degrees C and 38 degrees C. The compressive strengths of the BRECEM concrete increased slightly at 10 years compared to the value at five years when kept under water at 20 degrees C. At 38 degrees C, however, there was a slight reduction in strengths compared to the five-year values. From these results it would appear that C(2)ASH(8) is likely to be a stable phase in BRECEM concretes at ambient temperatures for at least 10 years. The strength of concrete made from the 1:1 BRECEM composition and used externally is likely to show modest, if any, reduction in strength at least up to 10 years. (C) 1999 The Building Research Establishment. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.