Research article

Effect of salt water on the compressive strength of concrete

Uzuwuru Chinyere Esther, *Chijioke Chiemela and Chukwudi Prince EU

Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author E-mail: cchijioke@fpno.edu.ng

Accepted 25, April, 2023

Abstract

This research work is aimed at investigating the effect of salt water on the properties of concrete. The main property considered herein is Compressive Strength, other conjugate properties are highlighted too. Cement concrete cubes of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were cast using clean water (as control) and seawater with mix ratio of 1:2:4. All the mixes were prepared using constant water cement ratio of 0.5 by weight. 30 concrete cubes were made in two batches; half of the cubes were made using fresh water and the other half-using seawater. The concrete cubes were cured in fresh and seawater, respectively. The curing was done for 7, 14 and 28days, and then crushed using the Compressive Strength Test Apparatus respectively. The average compressive strength of the cubes cast with clean water were 14Mpa, 16.13Mpa and 17.24Mpa for 7, 14, and 28 curing days respectively. While the average compressive strength of concrete cubes cast and cured with saline water were 18.13Mpa, 18.80Mpa and 16.49Mpa for 7, 14, and 28 curing days. The study shows that salt water (with the sample analysed) tends to compromise the compressive strength of concrete for a longer time duration.

Keywords: Concrete Cube, Seawater, Fresh Water, Compressive Strength.