Effect of limestone fines content in manufactured sand on durability of low- and high-strength concretes

This paper investigates the effect of limestone fines content in manufactured sand (MS) on compressive strength, chloride ion permeability and freeze–thaw resistance of both low- and high-strength concretes. The abrasion resistance of concretes and sulfate attack of mortars were also tested. The results show that for low-strength concretes, the increment of limestone fines from 0% to 20% improved the resistance to chloride ion penetration, but decreased the resistance to freezing. For high-strength concretes, the increment of limestone fines from 0% to 15% did not affect the chloride ion permeability and freeze–thaw resistance. Furthermore, the sulfate resistance was increased by the increment of limestone fines, and the amount of 7% and 10% fines resulted in the highest abrasion resistance. It can be concluded that the durable concretes can be made from MS with at least 10% limestone fines.