Durability of UHPFRC functionalised with nanoadditives due to synergies in the action of sulphate and chloride in cracked and uncracked states

This paper studies the durability of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) with high Blast Furnace Slag content (BFS) and nanoadditives such as crystalline admixture (CA), alumina nanofibres (ANF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), exposed to different aggressive environmental conditions: 1) three aggressive media: a) deionized water (dw), b) sulphate rich solution (ss) and c) simulated geothermal water (sgw) containing sulphate and chloride; 2) two water interaction conditions: a) static and b) dynamic (water impact); and 3) with and without the presence of cracks. Durability was analysed over 24 months, measuring several physical and chemical parameters of the system, recording changes in both the aggressive media and the concrete. All UHPFRC types demonstrate good durability, showing high resistance to expansion and deformation in the sulphate-rich media. A leaching process occurs in all water interaction systems, the dynamic interaction in sgw being the most aggressive. The interaction of sgw inside the crack favours the formation of solid phases such as calcium carbonates and ettringite, while the presence of nanoadditives affects the response of both the matrix and the formation of precipitates within the crack.