The interaction of municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash (MSWI bottom ash), when utilized as an aggregate in concrete, with the cement matrix was investigated. The most prominent reaction observed in lab and field concrete was the formation of aluminium hydroxide and the release of hydrogen gas from aluminium grains reacting in the alkaline environment. The expansive aluminium reaction was identified as a main cause of extensive spalling on the concrete surface. Due to the higher content of bottle glass as part of the ash, in all samples, reaction products of an alkali-silica reaction (ASR) could be observed as well. However, damage due to ASR were less severe than those caused by the aluminium reaction. The expansion rates were low and only a few of the lab samples showed cracking. Microstructural analysis of the samples indicated clearly that a large quantity of the alkali-silica gel which was formed was accommodated in the pores and voids without exerting any strain on the material.
The paper presents the results of a study dealing with the performance of water repellents on hardened blended cement pastes. Since on the European market Portland cement does not play the dominant role anymore and due to the new national and European policies concerning Greenhouse Gases and sustainability, cement manufacturers produce more and more blended cements (CEM IICEM V). Nevertheless, the majority of experience concerning the efficacy of water repellents is gained from Portland cement; therefore knowledge in regard to the interactions of blended cement with water repellent agent is minimal. Two silane-based products were applied on 'fresh' and carbonated cement substrates containing limestone, fly ash, slag and trass, and were investigated in terms of their functionality. The evaluation of the treatments' performance and effectiveness were assessed using various laboratory measurements. Hydrophobicity, water absorption, colour changes and the penetration depth of silanes into the substrate were evaluated before and after artificial aging experiments. Moreover, the outdoor weathering test was performed to shed light on treated surface appearance in a 'real' outdoor environment. The results showed that surface wettability was independent on water ingress or colour variations, especially for cement specimens artificially aged by accelerated carbonation. Cement pastes containing slag and trass seemed to more distinctly affect the water repellents' surface performance.