Effect of lime putty addition on structural and durability properties of concrete

The effect of lime putty addition on main structural and durability properties of concrete was studied. Different types of cement were used for concrete preparation: a Portland cement, a pozzolanic cement and a Portland cement with the addition of 20% fly ash. The measured concrete properties were compressive strength, setting times, length change, porosity, carbonation depth and degree of steel bar corrosion. It was found that the lime putty addition has a positive effect on the properties of concrete that contain pozzolans and a slightly negative effect on the properties of pure Portland cement. This behavior was correlated with the availability of active silica of cementitious materials. The active silica of pozzolans reacts with the added calcium hydroxide giving constituents, which improve the concrete stability and durability.