Appraising the potential of calcium sulfoaluminate cement-based grouts in simulated permafrost environments

Abstract

The aim of this study is to appraise the potential of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement-based grouts in simulated permafrost environments. The hydration and performance of CSA cement-based grouts cured in cold environments (10, 0, and −10 °C) are investigated using a combination of tests, including temperature recording, X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests. The recorded temperature shows a rapid increase in temperature at the early stage in all the samples. Meanwhile, results of the TGA and XRD tests show the generation of a significant quantity of hydration products, which indicates the rapid hydration of CSA cement-based grouts at the early stage at low temperatures. Consequently, the CSA cement-based grouts exhibit remarkably high early strength. The UCS values of the samples cured for 2 h at −10, 0, and 10 °C are 6.5, 12.0, and 12.3 MPa, respectively. The UCS of the grouts cured at −10, 0, and 10 °C increases continuously with age and ultimately reached 14.9, 19.0, and 30.6 MPa at 28 d, respectively. The findings show that the strength of grouts fabricated using CSA cement can develop rapidly in cold environments, thus rendering them promising for permafrost applications.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

permafrost / low temperatures / calcium sulfoaluminate cement-based grouts / hydration reaction / compressive strength

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a research project (RES0049413) at the University of Alberta. The first author is grateful for the scholarship provided by the China Scholarship Council.

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