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This paper describes a study of the effect of partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) by various mineral additives in the screed mixtures. Ceramic powder, blast furnace slag and fly ash were gradually employed in increments of 12.5 wt.% up to 50 wt.% to replace OPC. The mixtures were designed to a constant consistency. The influence of mineral additives was evaluated in terms of the air content in the fresh mixtures, the compressive strength, the flexural strength and the freeze-thaw resistance and using non-destructive measurements after 28 and 90 days. The accompanied paste sampleswere analysed using thermogravimetry to monitor the hydration process by means of total bound water content. The decrease in the mechanical properties and the frost resistance of the mixtures with the mineral additives were recorded, because of the necessity for a larger addition of water. According to the valid standards for concrete screed related to the frost resistance, it could be concluded that maximal suitable cement replacement contents are 12.5, 37.5 and 50 wt.% for ceramic powder, fly ash and blast furnace slag, respectively. The freeze-thaw resistance of the studied materials was found to be strongly related to the content of CSH and CAH hydrates.

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The presented paper deals with an experimental study of the efficiency of surface coating treatment based on secondary crystallization as an additional protection of the subsurface concrete structure loaded by moisture or ground water pressure. The aim of the experimental program was the evaluation of the depth impact of the crystalline coating and the assessment of the reliability of construction joints performed on models simulating real conditions of the concrete structure. The evolution of the secondary crystallizing process was monitored using the water absorption test carried out at different depths of the samples. The coefficient of adsorption decreased to 60% of the reference mixture for a surface layer of up to 40 mm at 28 days and to 50% at 180 days after the coating’s application. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity method was applied with respect to the nature of measurement and the low accessibility of real subsurface concrete structures. The results of moisture measurement at a depth of 180–190 mm from the surface treated with a crystalline coating showed an essential decrease in moisture content percentage in comparison with untreated specimens (measured 125 days after the coating’s application).

The aim of present article is to describe influence of composition of refractory composites on its response to gradual thermal loading. Attention was focused on the impact of ceramic fibers and application of metakaolin as an aluminous cement supplementary material. Studied aluminate binder system in combination with natural basalt fine aggregates ensures sufficient resistance to high-temperature exposure. Influence of composition changes was evaluated by the results of physical and mechanical testing-compressive and flexural strength, bulk density, and fracture energy were determined on the different levels of temperature loading. Application of ceramic fibers brought expected linear increase of ductility in studied composites. Metakaolin replacement showed the optimal dose to be just about 20% of aluminous cement weight.