Performance of mechanically activated volcanic tuff as a type II additive: Mechanical evolution and durability in aggressive environments

Hatem, Affes and Nehme, Salem G. (2025) Performance of mechanically activated volcanic tuff as a type II additive: Mechanical evolution and durability in aggressive environments. Concrete Structures, 26 (1). pp. 2-9. ISSN 1586-0361

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Abstract

The degradation of sewage infrastructure by biogenic sulfuric acid poses a critical challenge for sustainable construction. This study evaluates a mechanically activated volcanic tuff (Cyment L100) as a Type II additive, specifically targeting durability in aggressive wastewater environments. Mechanical evolution and acid resistance (pH 1) were tested for mixtures containing 20% and 40% replacement in CEM I and CEM II systems. Results show that while early strength decreased, CEM I mixtures achieved significant recovery (75 MPa at 56 days). Crucially, acid testing revealed an inversion of the degradation mechanism: while standard Portland cement suffered severe erosion (-1.32% mass loss), the volcanic tuff mixture exhibited mass gain (+1.0%) and retained 100% of its flexural strength. Although frost resistance tests indicated a need for air-entrainment in freeze-thaw zones, the results position this volcanic binder as a specialized, high-durability solution for lining sewage pipelines and wastewater treatment plants (Exposure Class XA3), offering superior resistance to chemical attack compared to standard binders.

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