Development of a setup to measure pressure of expansion in a confined environment - Application to concrete

Abstract

In this master’s thesis, we address a practical challenge in the construction industry: the use of recycled concrete. The key focus of this study is the development of a new experimental setup to investigate how recycled concrete expands under certain conditions, a phenomenon known as internal sulfate attack (ISA). This issue is crucial because it affects the longevity of recycled concrete, which varies in composition.Our work involves building a setup that allows us to measure the expansion pressure within confined concrete, specifically looking at how secondary ettringite, a mineral that forms in hardened concrete, contributes to this expansion. We conducted experiments to understand how different factors like the makeup of the concrete, how it is cured, and its exposure to sulfateaffect this expansion.The goal of this research is to better understand how recycled concrete can deteriorate overtime and to use this knowledge to improve recycling practices in the construction industry. By focusing on the experimental process and the setup we created, we aim to contribute practical insights into the durability and sustainable use of recycled concrete.