In order to reveal the degradation process and deterioration mechanism of cement-based materials, this paper analyzes the effects of carbonic acid leaching on the mechanical strength of mortars, as well as relative mass loss, microstructure, and composition of various cement pastes. The results indicate that cement pastes containing less than 20 % fly ash have higher carbonic acid leaching resistance than cement pastes without fly ash. However, after carbonic acid leaching, the compressive strength of the samples with fly ash is lower than that of the cement pastes without fly ash. The leaching resistance is good for samples cured at an early age before leaching. Carbonic acid leaching proceeds from the paste surface to the interior. The incorporation of an appropriate amount of slag powder helps to increase the density of the paste. Due to the pozzolanic activity of fly ash at late-stage leaching, a mixture of fly ash (≤ 20 %) and slag powder (≤ 20 %)
INTRODUCTIONWater with high contents of carbonic acid is commonly found on the sites of hydroelectric projects [1]. Most of these projects are situated in wet, hot and rainy environments [2]. There is usually luxuriant vegetation along the riverbank, with large amounts of humus accumulated both along the bank and at the bottom of the river [3]. When the permeability of the soil layer is bad anaerobic bacteria are present, and organic fertilizers in the soil will be resolved and produce abundant amounts of CO 2 under the actions of these bacteria. According to the equilibrium concentrations of calcium hydroxide (the limit concentration of lime), hydration products will gradually dissolve or decompose when the concrete cement is in long-term contact with "soft" water (i.e. water containing less or no soluble calcium and magnesium compounds) [4][5][6][7]. This is the dissolution part of leaching. Portland cement hydration products are alkaline substances, which are soluble in water to some extent. They do not dissolve in water and are stable only if the lime content in the liquid phase is above the respective limit concentration of the hydration products. On the contrary, when the lime content in the liquid phase is below the limit concentration of hydration products, the hydration products will decompose and release lime, resulting in a change of high-calcium hydration products into low-calcium hydration products [8]. Calcium hydroxide, which has the largest limit concentration of lime in hydration products, will be the first to dissolve out when the cement comes into contact with "soft" water. The water around the cement is easily saturated by the calcium hydroxide, which in the case of non-pressurized static water will discontinue dissolution. In this case, the dissolution is limited to the surface layer, which has little effect on the concrete [9][10]. From the aforesaid it is clear that the degree of dissolution leaching is related to the "hardness" of the water, the density of the concrete, and the environmental conditions.Researchers have attached great impo...