9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE

UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

INFLUENCE OF MINERAL ADDITIONS IN THE CONCRETE CARBONATION

RESISTANCE

Matheus Figuerêdo (*)(1), Ana Tavares (2), Jairo Bolaños(3), Matheus Nascimento(4)
(1)
Institute of Higher Education of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil,
[email protected]
(2)
Institute of Higher Education of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil, [email protected]
(3)
Institute of Higher Education of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil, [email protected]
(4)
Institute of Higher Education of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil,
[email protected]
(*)
corresponding author

ABSTRACT
Several factors influence in the appearance of pathological manifestations in concrete, since it is exposed to
several mechanisms of degradation during its service life. One of the main cause of some anomalies in concrete
is carbonation, which is basically generated by the mechanism of penetration of carbon dioxide (CO 2) present in
the environment. The carbonation can be accelerated drastically depending on the degree of porosity presented
by the concrete element added by the presence of moisture. In this sense, the main goal of this paper is to analyze
the influence of mineral additions in structural concrete exposed to severe environmental conditions. According
to the literature, the carbonation can be accelerated with the use of mineral additions, and this fact is due to the
high consumption of calcium hydroxide in the process of cement hydration, reducing the alkaline reserve of the
concrete. However, the results obtained in this work show a different behavior from that mentioned in the
literature, which the use of mineral additions delayed the carbonation of the concrete. Metakaolin and silica fume
properties, which are mineral additions that have finer particles than cement, were analyzed in the mixture
during the dosing process, verifying the possibility of reduce the progress of carbonation and capillary
absorption in concrete. This paper analyzed the behavior of concrete with mineral additions in its composition
against the advances of carbonation. For the accomplishment of the tests, a reference mixture was formulated
and secondary mixtures were composed of cement substitutions by mineral additions in the proportions of 5%
and 10%, with metakaolin and silica fume being the substitutions employed. In order to simulate an aggressive
environment, a carbonation chamber was built, and the execution of the accelerated carbonation tests followed
the normative parameters of ISO 1920-12 (2015)[1].
Keywords: Carbonation, Metakaolin, silica fume, capillary absorption, porosity of concrete .

1 INTRODUCTION
Much of the subsidies incinerated in large industries and tailing from stones such as marble, granite and quartz
are rich in silicates. The silicate is a chemical compound abundant in the earth’s crust and has a great presence in
the chemical composition of the pozzolanic materials. Its composition has mainly silicon (Si), oxygen (O) and
aluminum (Al).
Blast furnace slag, mica, among other mineral additions, were considered until recently as simple tailings with
little or no use. In many cases, without adequate recycling and reuse processes, these materials were deposited
into the environment causing major environmental impacts on nature. Due to the studies and tests of the
physical-chemical process of cement manufacturing, some of these materials have been inserted in the process of
improvements within the factories. Some previous studies have shown that the silicate-rich materials added in
the right proportions improve the performance of Portland Cement in several situations [2-5]. In this context, it can
be observed that the mineral additions in the proportions of 5 and 10% added benefits to the characteristics of the
analyzed concretes, such as the increase of the compression strength, reduction of the heat of hydration, lower
porosity, workability, among others.
However, the literature emphasizes that mineral additions when inserted into the cement composition consume
calcium hydroxide during the hydration period. This phenomenon can accelerate the process of corrosion of the

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

rebars in reinforced concrete, since this process tends to reduce the alkaline reserve of the concrete and
consequently makes it neutral.
Thus, the researches and trials carried out in this work were made using mineral additions applied with the
Brazilian Portland Cement type CPII-F-40, with the purpose of reducing the impacts generated by the production
of waste to the environment of the industries and civil construction sectors, in addition to the best cost benefit.
The mineral additions chosen were applied with the function to understand their comportment in rebar corrosion
and capability of the reducing the porosity of the concrete, inhibiting the progression of aggressive agents
brought by the air.
Within the properties of concrete, the mineral additions have had important functions in what is related to the
increase of the service life of buildings, prolonging the delay of future anomalies that may appear over time [6-7].
Primarily, water and airborne aggressive agents are the main responsible for pathological manifestations found
in structural elements of conventional concrete. Among the main anomalies that can appear in these structures
inside a building, the carbonation of the concrete, corrosion of the structures and the efflorescence can be
mentioned. When untreated, these manifestations can directly influence the performance of the building. In more
serious cases, anomalies caused by severe conditions can lead to the construction structural collapse, which
endangers the user’s life and does not allow the structure to be used again [8-9]. The voids incorporated in the
water evaporation process during the binder hydration and the air voids left in the concrete mixture plus the
inadequate covering of the rebars are generally responsible for the ease in which the phenomenon of carbonation
and percolation of the water takes place. In this sense, it is clear the importance of understanding the concrete
carbonation comportment and the main goal of this paper is to analyze the influence of mineral additions in
structural concrete exposed to severe environmental conditions.

2 EXPERIMENTAL PLANNING
The experimental plan was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the influence of two mineral additions:
silica fume and metakaolin, inserted in the composition of concrete test specimens analysed by accelerated
carbonation tests, following the normative criteria [1]. The dosage of the reference mix-proportions considered the
method of the Brazilian Association of Portland Cement (ABCP) and the proportions of the materials used in the
dosage process can be observed in Table 1. Each composition constituted 5% and 10% cement substitutions
by metakaolin and silica fume, being denominated as S05%, M05%, and S10% and M10%. The reference
mixture was referred to REF. The cement used was the Brazilian Portland Cement type CPII-F-40, with a
particle density of 3,14 kg/m³. The properties for fine and course aggregates are: particle density of 2,63 kg/m³
(fine) and 2,70 kg/m³ (course); and apparent bulk density of 1,50 kg/m³ and 1,45 kg/m³ for fine and course
aggregates, respectively. For the fine aggregate (sand) used the fineness module obtained was 2,6 according to
NBR 7211: 2009. Two types of additives were used, the GRACE ADVA 585 (superplasticizer) and GRACE
Tecmult 829 SPX). Using the dosage method specified the proportion (mass) obtained was 1:0,75:1,55:0,3.
Table 1 – Proportions of mixtures used
Coarse
Fine Water Polyfunctional
aggregate Superplasticizer
Mixture Cement aggregat (w/c ratio additive
(dmax 19 additive (0,6%)
e (sand) = 0,3) (0,4%)
mm)
REF 12 kg 9 kg 18,6 kg 3,6 kg 72 g 48g
S05%
11,4 kg 9 kg 18,6 kg 3,6 kg 72 g 48 g
(0,6 kg)
M05%
11,4 kg 9 kg 18,6 kg 3,6 kg 72 g 48 g
(0,6 kg)
S10%
10,8 kg 9 kg 18,6 kg 3,6 kg 72 g 48 g
(1,2 kg)
M10%
10,8 kg 9 kg 18,6 kg 3,6 kg 72 g 48 g
(1,2 kg)
Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018).

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

The test specimens were divided into two groups, the first group containing silica fume and the
second metakaolin in the composition of the concrete, in the proportions of 5% and 10%. However, the test
specimens constituted by the reference mixture do not belong to either of the two groups, since they do not have
mineral additions, and they were used on a comparative basis to analyse the results with respect to the influence
of these mineral additions. The test specimens used in the execution were cured for 28 days. A total of 41
samples were performed for the experimental tests, considering that for the accelerated carbonation test
carbonation chamber withdrawals were completed at 7, 14, and 28 days after the initial day of the test. A test
specimen conjugated to the REF mixture was evaluated under the accelerated carbonation test until the 56 days
of confinement to be submitted to more significant results as a result of the time over the other compositions.
The experimental plan development process can be seen in figure 1, which is specified in subsequent items. This
project was developed in the Construction Materials Laboratory, located on the southern campus of the Higher
Education Institute of Brasilia, in Brasília- Brazil.
Fig. 1: Experimental planning

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

2.1 Testing of concrete in hardened state
2.1.1 Mechanical properties
For the analysis of the properties of the concrete in its hardened state, cylindrical test bodies with dimensions of
100 x 200 mm were modeled, where the simple compression test was carried out based on the parameters of the
Brazilian Code [10], after the 28 days of cure.

2.2 Determination of water absorption by capillarity

Based on Brazilian Code [11], the water absorption by capillarity test was performed with three test bodies. In this
way, the mass of the three test specimens of each mixture were determined, and then they were submitted to an
oven-drying processes (105 ± 5 ºC) until the constancy of the mass was reached and cooled according to the lab
temperature. Afterwards, the specimens were inserted into a recipient with constant height of water of 5 ± 1 mm
above the underside of the specimens. Finally, the mass of the test specimens was determined, after the contact
of their base with the water, in the respective times, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72hs, and after all a diametrical
compression test was done to ascertain the disposition of the water in the interior of each body test.

2.3 Accelerated carbonation

The experiment carbonation establishes that the specimens submitted to this test are obliged to undergo a 28-day
cure in a humid chamber or water-droplets. After the curing process, this method specifies that the elements
must undergo a conditioning process for 14 days, under a temperature of (18 to 29)°C and relative humidity in
the range of (50 to 70)%, in order to start the exposure process [1].
The accelerated carbonation test was started with the specimens inserted inside the carbonation chamber, with
temperature conditions at (27±2)°C, humidity at (55±5)%, and CO 2 at (6 ± 0,5%), being that the temperature and
humidity received these values due to the locality of Brasilia, where this one holds the characteristics of the
climate of the region. The value for the percentage of CO 2 (6 ± 0,5) was conditioned as a result of the amount of
time for the test. In this context, this parameter was doubled in relation to the standardization [1] so that the
carbonation process happened more quickly. It is also seen that such modifications are accepted as long as the
considerations made in the test process are reported and justified.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

The mixtures that have mineral additions in their composition were maintained under carbonation process for 7,
14 and 28 days. At the beginning of the test 3 samples for each composition were inserted in order to analyze the
progress of carbonation, and in each period mentioned one sample of each composition was taken from the
chamber. In this context, the equivalent of 4 test specimens denominated REF were inserted along with the other
mixtures to evaluate the behavior of carbonation up to 56 days. This application at 56 days was necessary before
a more accurate analysis on the process of acceleration of carbonation in the test specimens without mineral
addition. In this way, table 2 presents each group formed and the days of rest under the carbonation process .
Table 2 – Exposure period in carbonation chamber

Group Ref. S05% M05% S10% M10%

07
Exposu 07 07 07 07
14
re 14 14 14 14
28
Days 28 28 28 28
56
Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)
In this order, a test specimen from each group with 7 days of exposure in the carbonation chamber was initially
removed. For a better understanding and to observe the progress of carbonation, it was necessary to cut the
specimens perpendicularly to the upper surface, so that they passed through the process of applying the pH
indicator. The pH or Phenolphthalein indicator was applied uniformly with a dispersed on the surface of the
specimens.
The depth of the carbonation is a process that was measured in 5 points on each face, resulting in the average
between the points. In this way, perpendicular measurements were made between the exposed surface and the
inside of the carbonate layer, where the large aggregates and large pores that crossed the measured points were
disregarded.

3 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
3.1 Concrete compression resistance test
In order to analyze the compression strength of the concrete, the samples were tested. In this way, each mixture
had specimens with 7, 14 and 28 days of cure. Table 3 shows the characteristic strength of the concrete obtained
in the laboratory.
Table 3 Characteristic resistance of concrete
Mixture 07 days 14 days 28 days
REF 43MPa 47MPa 50Mpa
S05% 46MPa 52MPa 55Mpa
M05% 47MPa 54MPa 58Mpa
S10% 31MPa 60MPa 64Mpa
M10% 55MPa 63MPa 68Mpa
Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)
In the process of obtaining the concrete resistance with the rupture at 07 days of age, it was possible to notice
that the S10% proportion suffered a great variation of resistance compared to the other ones. This high standard
deviation may have been caused by errors in the molding of the specimen, such as lack of density. The bad
densification of the concrete can generate voids inside the concrete, directly influencing the resistance of the
element.
In this way, it can be seen that the substitution of 10% of Portland cement with silica fume directly influenced
the final resistance gain, obtaining 64MPa resistance at 28 days of age. The M10% obtained the strength value of
68 MPa. Such resistance characterized these proportions as special concretes, from the moment it exceeded 50
MPa. Figure 2 presents the concrete strength gain of 07, 14 and 28 days. In order to analyze the aggressive class
to be simulated in accelerated carbonation tests, Brazilian Code [12] states that the characteristic minimum
resistance for class of aggressiveness IV should be equal to or greater than 40MPa at 28 days.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

Fig. 2: Compression strength gain

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

Through the analysis of concrete compression, it is clear that the mineral additions have a great influence on the
resistance gain over time. It is also seen that the gain of resistance is directly proportional to the amount of
additions inserted in the composition of the mixture. Furthermore, metakaolin and silica fume presented near
resistance values when compared to the contents placed in each composition.

3.1 Absorption test of concrete.

Following the standard criteria of Brazilian Code [11] , with cylindrical specimens measuring 10cm (diameter) and
20cm (height), the mass of the specimens was measured at 3, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours. In this context, it was
possible to obtain the results presented in figure 3.
Fig. 3: Absorption of water by capillarity in relation to time

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

It can be seen that in the initial time of the test, the composition of the mixture defined as REF had greater
proportions of capillary absorption than the other mixtures composed with mineral additions. It is also possible
to note that the REF tends to increase gradually in the process of capillary absorption during the test. On the
other hand, mixtures containing mineral additions had better results when compared to REF, with M10% being
the composition that presented better performance.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

The mixtures M05% and S05% showed similar performance during the test. However, at the 6th hour of the test,
the S10% showed a capillary absorption behavior similar to the S05%, however, after the 24-hour reading, the
S10% mixture reduced its absorption rate in relation to the S05%.
It is possible to observe, as expected, through the capillary absorption and simple compression tests that the
lower the concrete resistance the greater the proportions of water absorbed by the pores of the element, being
one inversely proportional to the other, because the mixture defined as REF presented the highest levels of water
absorption by capillarity, while it obtained the lowest value of resistance in the test to the mechanical
compression. This conclusion is demonstrated in figure 4.
Fig. 4: Correlation between water absorption by capillarity and compressive strength

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

3.2 Carbonating tests
It was possible to note from the results obtained with the accelerated carbonation tests that the specimens which
had a higher pH of 9 after the carbonation period would react with a purple coloration, i.e. they had regions with
basic pH (alkaline). The samples that reacted with the pH indicator and presented a colorless appearance on the
surface of the cut layer had pH < 9, being considered carbonated regions. In this way, Figure 5 presents the
application of the phenolphthalein pH indicator in a test specimen.
Fig. 5: Application of phenolphthalein to concrete

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

In the first seven days of carbonation, it was possible to observe that the specimens that had the substitutions of
Portland Cement by metakaolin and silica fume in the proportions of 5 and 10% had a minimum variation in the
depth of carbonation between both. Figure 6 shows the carbonation depth at 07 days of all mixtures.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

Fig.6: Accelerated carbonation front with 07 days of exposure in cylindrical specimens. (A)
M05%; (B) S05%; (C) M10%; (D) S10%; (E) REF

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

However, it was seen that the specimen that did not have mineral portions in its composition, defined with REF,
had a greater carbonation depth, this factor was in the completely carbonated (colorless) and inside the concrete,
where the color intensity is gradually less intense than the other samples. This more intense color variation for a
less intense color indicates the reduction of the pH in the imminence of undergoing carbonation.
In order to had a better evaluation of the influence of mineral additions, the carbonation progression was
evaluated at 14 days. In this period, the performance of the mineral additions in the carbonation process was
noticeable, where they excelled over the reference mixture. This conclusion is given by the accelerated
development of carbonation in the deeper layers in relation to the proportions of specimens that possessed
mineral compositions. Figure 7 shows the exposed specimens over a period of 14 days under carbonation.
Fig. 7: Accelerated carbonation front with 14 days’ exposure in cylindrical specimens. (A)
M05%; (B) S05%; (C) S10%; (D) S10% (E) REF

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

However, at 28 days of carbonation, the result of the test was more visible, since the depth of the carbonation of
the REF element is more pronounced, besides giving a color less intense than the other specimens containing
mineral additions, as shown in figure 8.
Fig. 8: Accelerated carbonation front with 28 days of exposure in cylindrical specimens. (A)
M05%; (B) S05%; (C) S10%; (D) M10%; (E) REF

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

Considering the performance of the mineral additions, a test specimen of REF mixture with 56 days of
confinement was analyzed. This process was necessary to evaluate the behavior of carbonation with higher ages
of exposure, as shown in figure 9.

Fig. 9: Front of accelerated carbonation with 56 days of the element REF

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

At 56 days of exposure, the REF mixture sample had a mean carbonation depth equivalent to 37,66 mm, which
was almost 8 times higher than the initial carbonation period for the 7 days (5,11 mm). All these facts show the
efficiency of the mineral additions to the advances of carbonation.
In order to better visualize the performance of the mineral additions under the REF concrete, figures 10 and 11
present the complete results obtained. It is possible to see graphically the comparative behavior between the REF
elements and the mineral additions, as well as to visualize the comparison between the REF elements with the
two types of additions, but in the same proportions of substitutions.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
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Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

Fig. 10: Comparison between REF elements and elements with mineral substitutions

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

It can be noticed that the REF element compared to the mixtures of the same composition, suffered great
degradation due to the carbonation. However, it is noticeable that the samples with silica fume were more
affected when compared to the elements containing metakaolin in their composition. It is also clear that the
elements containing metakaolin in a smaller portion obtained a value of 33,7% lower than the carbonation of the
REF sample at 28 days. The silica fume in the same proportion of 5% had a value 29,6% lower than the REF
with the same period.
By comparing the variation of the mineral additions, metakaolin showed an 8,7% efficiency when compared
with silica fume at 28 days of confinement, for mixtures with a 10% substitution content. In the 5% content, the
metakaolin also excelled with an efficiency of 5,8%. Such comparisons shows clearly the efficiency of
metakaolin, but it is important to emphasize the positive points brought by the granular structure of the silica
fume.
Fig. 11: Comparison between the REF elements and the other mixtures with the same mineral
substitution content

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

Although, the mineral additions consumed the calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH) 2] in the period of hydration of the
cement, this factor was not as relevant in this research as it is shown in the presented results. One of the
responses to this process is the fact that the mineral additions allow the closing of the pores in the concrete and
inhibit the entry of aggressive agents into the concrete, as proven in the water absorption by capillarity test.
3.2 Depth of carbonation
This measurement process was necessary due to the irregularity of the carbonation depth in the specimens,
where the average of these points indicated the depths with higher carbonation. Thus, it was necessary to use a
tachometer to measure the carbonated points.
Through the figure above, it was noticed that all the mixtures that had mineral additions in their composition had
a more satisfactory performance in the medium points of carbonation. It was also observed that the carbonation
performance has a significant increase in some ages, having twice the delay of the carbonation to the
compositions that have higher contents of mineral additions.

3.3 Real-time carbonation

The carbonation depth is directly proportional to the exposure time of the concrete [13]. Considering the equation
01, it was possible to determine the coefficients of carbonation (k) characteristic of the resultant of the data
presented by the concrete elements studied in this research. Figure 12 shows the characteristic values of each
carbonation coefficient at the 28-day test.

𝑥 = k. √ t
(1)

Fig. 12: Coefficient value (k) at 28 days

Reference (Prepared by authors, 2018.)

The process that triggers the corrosion cycle of the reinforcement is connected to the concrete carbonation
process. This phenomenon can assume greater proportions at the moment when the concrete structures have on
their surface the presence of water. The main factor that protects the steel from the structures is its nominal
covering, where it is determined by of Brazilian Code [12].
An aggression class was evaluated by means of the carbonation test, where it was referred to a percentage of CO 2
equivalent to class IV. The Brazilian Code [12] determines that the nominal cover adopted for this class is 50 mm.
In this way, empirical attempts were made to predict the time for the steel of the structures to undergo the
process of destabilization of the reinforcements.
Since the carbonation depths did not exceed 50 mm, with the maximum value obtained in the test equivalent to
37,66 mm, the values obtained were extrapolated up to the value of 50 mm, so that there was a corrosion forecast
of the reinforcement that coincided with the parameters stipulated of Brazilian Code [12], to cover the concrete in
environments with aggressiveness
In summary, with the methodological application of equation 1, the mixtures REF, M05%, S05%, M10% and
S10% would need about 4,51; 6,80; 6,42; 10,54; and 9,63 years to achieve 50mm carbonation under the

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE
UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS-ENVIRONMENT & LOADING

Unisinos University
Porto Alegre/RS – Brazil – June, 2019

conditions used. In the environment the CO2 rate is approximately 0,04% [4], which is much lower than the rate
used to perform the test. By means of the results discussed in this work it is possible to say that the concretes
made with mineral additions tend to reduce the process of the appearance of carbonation. This fact can be
explained by the decreasing of the porosity, inhibiting the entry of CO2 into the concrete structures.

4 CONCLUSIONS
The main objective of this work was to evaluate the behavior of the carbonation front in structural concrete
composed of Portland Cement substitutions by mineral additions. The standardization proposed by ISO 1920-12
(2015) [1] was followed for accelerated carbonation tests.
In view of the advances in carbonation, all the mixtures that had mineral portions in their composition presented
a superior performance to the REF concrete, where M10% stood out to the other compositions in the process of
restricting the entry of CO2.
In the mechanical evaluations of the resistances the normal compression M10% presented results similar to the
S10% having a variation close to 5% if compared. However, when comparing the mechanical properties
obtained in M10% with the other compositions it was obtained a variation of 16% for S05% and 26,5% for the
REF after 28 days of cure.
In this way, the influence of the mineral additions in the process of gain of mechanical resistance becomes clear.
This feature gives concrete structures greater durability and less chance of structural damage or repositioning. By
means of the water absorption by capillarity tests and simple compression it is possible to notice that both are
inversely proportional, this fact is coincident since the REF presented higher values of capillary absorption and
lower in the resistance to simple compression. On the other hand, the mixtures that had metakaolin in their
composition presented better results when compared to the amount of mineral substitution, where M10% stands
out over S10% and all the others. M05% prevails over S05% and REF.
Metakaolin is a mineral addition that has the smallest particles of the materials used in each mixture. This fact
can explain the results obtained in the tests of simple compression and absorption by capillarity, where this
material provides the microfiller effect through the pozzolanic action in the concrete, reducing the voids of its
interior. Thus, it is clear that the granular characteristics of the materials used in the confection of the concrete
are of paramount importance, since metakaolin also presented better results in the tests of accelerated
carbonation. This fact is more significant than the alkaline reserve consumption by the mineral additions, where
the pore buffering by the pozzolanic reaction inhibits the entry of aggressive agents into concrete, besides
making water percolation difficult, slowing down the process of carbonation of concrete.
With the application of Metakaolin and silica fume, it can be concluded that these have an important function in
what is related to economic and sustainability aspects. This conclusion is due to the reduction of cement applied
in concrete making, establishing less damage to the environment in the raw material extraction process, besides
the reuse of industrial materials with pozzolanic characteristics, improving aspects of use within the civil
construction industries as sustainable alternatives to engineering.
Carbonation is one of the major responsible for anomalies generated by aggressive agents that are transported
through the air. By means of this phenomenon it is possible that there is the depassivation of the reinforcement
of the structural elements and consequently the compromise of the structure. Thus, the use of metakaolin and
silica fume in structural concretes has been of great importance, since they promote the reduction of porosity and
consequently inhibit the advance of carbonation. Even with the efficiency of these materials, it is necessary to
carry out further studies on their application, through laboratory tests to develop more effective and standardized
methods of use such as ISO1920-12 (2015) within the civil construction areas, so that these methods to serve as
reliable sources of utilization in relation to the variables found during the design and execution phases of the
concrete elements.
REFERENCES
[1] INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR DTARDIZATION. ISO 1920-12:2015. Testing of concrete –
Part 12: Determination of the carbonation resistance of concrete – Accelerated carbonation method. Suíça,
2015, 17 p.

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[2] THIÉRY, M. Modélisation de la carbonatation atmosphérique des bétons - Prise en compte des effects
cinétiques et de l’état hydrique. 2005. 347 f. (Thèse de doctorat), École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées,
Paris, 2005.
[3] FERREIRA, M. B.; Estudo da carbonatação natural de concretos com diferentes adições minerais
após 10 anos de exposição. Goiânia, Universidade Federal do Goiás, 2013.
[4] MIRANDA, L. R. M. Carbonatação em concretos autoadensáveis com substituição de cimento
Portland. Dissertação de Mestrado em Estruturas e Construção Civil. Brasília: Universidade de Brasília,
2018.
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