Sulfate attack resistance of sustainable concrete incorporating various industrial solid wastes

Industrial solid wastes are inducing severe environmental problems, but the problem can be overcame by reusing them as construction materials. The sulfate resistances of sustainable concrete incorporating various solid waste materials, including waste glass powder (WGP), coal gangue powder (CGP) and fly ash (FA) were investigated in this study. Concrete mixes with different water to binder (w/b) ratios and containing various solid waste materials as partial replacement of Portland cement by ratios of 10%, 20%, and 30% were prepared. These mixes were immersed in the 5% Na2SO4 solution for a total period of 22 months. The sulfate attack resistances were evaluated extensively based on visual appearance, mass change, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, mineralogy, and microstructure. The results indicate that regardless of the type and content of solid waste materials, the replacement of cement by solid waste materials exhibit a positive impact on the sulfate attack resistance. Under the same substitution level, WGP appear to be the most effective in offsetting the destructive effect of sulfate attack, followed by CGP and FA. Therefore, sustainable concrete incorporating solid waste materials can not only promote the recycling of solid waste, but also provide high sulfate attack resistance.