Influence of cement content on concrete performance in corrosive environments (sea water)

In this study, the effect of cement content on concrete performance in corrosive environments is investigated on concrete mixtures having the same water/cement (w/c) ratio. Three w/c ratios (0.40, 0.45 and 0.50) were used and for each w/c ratio three mixtures were prepared with cement contents 350, 400 and 450 kg/m3. The compressive strength, electrical resistivity and chloride diffusivity of the samples without steel reinforcement were determined. In addition, the half-cell potential of samples with steel reinforcement in 5% NaCl solution was measured to evaluate the rebar corrosion. It is found that although w/c ratio is kept constant, strength increases and corrosion probability of steel reinforcements decreases when cement content in the mixture decreases from 450 to 350 kg/m3.