Effect of Carbonation on the Compressive Strength Development of Laterized Concrete

Abstract

Laterized concrete is characterised by decreasing compressive strength with increasing content of laterite. Carbonation, on the other hand, is noted to increase concrete strength. In order to reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, this paper investigated the effect of carbonation on the compressive strength development of laterized concrete. The paper compared the compressive strengths of conventional and laterized concrete specimens containing up to 35% content of laterite cured in water for 126 days and in an accelerated carbonation chamber for 12 weeks at the water/cement ratios of 0.35, 0.50 and 0.65. Results revealed that while the addition of laterite reduced compressive strength, carbonation increased the compressive strength development of laterized concrete. Furthermore, while equal strengths with water cured conventional concrete were achieved when laterite content is limited to 10%, all the carbonated laterized concrete specimens achieved higher strengths than the water cured laterized concrete specimens at 12 weeks of accelerated carbonation. Hence, carbonation would enhance the strength development of laterized concrete, permit the use of higher content of laterite and contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Keywords: carbonation, compressive strength, concrete, laterite, laterized concrete

DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-4-04

Publication date: April 30^th 2020