Sea water effect on the mechanical and durability properties of different types of cement mortars

Sulfate attack, which causes expansion and cracking on cement mortars, is one ofthe major problems. Sulfate and chloride ions in the sea water causes destruction ofmortars.In this study, mechanical and durability properties of specimens, which includefive types of cements and three different water/cement ratios, were investigated afterexposure to seawater and 50000-ppm sodium sulfate solution. Flexural andcompressive strength, chloride amount, capillary suction of water, total absorptionwere determined after exposure by prismatic specimens. Length changes of mortarbars immersed in 50000-ppm sodium sulfate solution were determined according toASTM C 1012. Chloride-ion penetration tests of cylindrical specimens were done.Durability and mechanical properties of specimens exposed to high sulfateconcentration were underdeveloped compared to standard specimens. Specimens,which include mineral additive cement, exhibited better performance than normalportland cement in every conditions.