International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) www.ijmer.com Vol.3, Issue.1, Jan-Feb.

2013 pp-225-230 ISSN: 2249-6645

Influence of Strong Acids (Hydrochloric and Sulphuric) In Water on Properties of Natural Admixture Cements
D. Sreehari Rao,1 Prof. I.V.Ramana Reddy2
1

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, S. V. University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh517 502, INDIA. 2 Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, S. V. University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh-517 502, INDIA.

ABSTRACT: Admixtures and the water have an important role on application of concrete. The study is aimed at
investigating the effect of strong acids as mixing water on setting times, soundness and compressive strength of admixture cements. This paper therefore presents the result and findings of an experimental research on the influence of strong acids on setting and strength development of admixture cements. In the research PPC plus 10% silica fume was added by weight and cubes were casted with deionised water and deionised water containing strong acids of HCl and H 2SO4. The results shows the HCl and H2SO4 in deionised water accelerate the intial and final setting times in all concentrations. Both HCl and H2SO4 in deionised water decrease the compressive strength from early age (3-days) to the maximum age (2years). In the present work analysis the hydration characteristics of the admixture cements using the techniques of X-ray diffraction analysis and useful conclusions are obtained regarding the influence of strong acids.

Key words: PPC, Silica fume, setting times, strength development, X-ray diffraction
The presence of acids in water changes the properties of concrete in setting times as well as strength. Water is an essential ingredient of concrete as it effectively participates in the chemical reactions with natural admixture cements like natural pozzolana and other supplementary cementitious materials (Silica fume). Pozzolans are commonly used as an addition to Portland cement to increase the long-term strength and other material properties. Concrete is not only material that is risk to physical and chemical process of deterioration associated with water. Therefore, it will be desirable to review, in general, the characteristics of water that make it the principal agent of destruction of material. The I.S.Code 456-2000 also specifies the minimum pH-value as 6.0 and also permissible limits for solids in the water to fit for construction purposes. The code has not specified the limits to the individual components like acidic substances. The use of natural and economical materials seems to be one of the possible solutions for the future. The development of an economical cement concrete with interesting properties in the fresh and hardened state will certainly help and encourage the use of this material in the construction industry. Hence, in the present investigation to find the effects and quality of water on setting and strength properties of admixture cement. The effect of strong acidic substances on setting, hardening and strength development of admixture cement are not known much. Hence, an investigation is carried out on setting time, soundness and strength of admixture cements. Fine aggregate: The fine aggregate used in this investigation is the river sand obtained from Swarnamukhi River near Tirupati, Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Silica fume: Silica fume used in the present study was obtained from Elkem India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai. Water: Deionised water spiked with strong acidic substances (H2SO4 and HCl) with different concentration is used in mixing water. Experimental System: The following equipment is used for casting and testing of specimens: (i)Cube moulds, (ii) 200T U.T.M(Universal Testing Machine) for cube compressive strength determination,(iii)Vicats apparatus including moulds conforming to IS4031(part-5)-1988 for setting times, (iv)Le-Chateliers equipment to determine the soundness of cement and (v) cement cubes prepared with water containing, H2SO4 in the concentration of 50 mg/L,150 mg/L,200 mg/L,500 mg/L and 800mg/L and HCl, in the concentration of 50 mg/L,150 mg/L,200 mg/L,500 mg/L and 800mg/L, in mixing water. Setting time: Vicats apparatus confirming IS4031(part-5) 1988 consist of a frame to which a movable rod having an indicator is attached which gives the penetration, weighing 100g and having diameter and length of 10mm and 50mm respectively. Vicats apparatus included three attachmentssquare needle for intial setting time, plunger for determining normal consistency and needle with annular collar for final setting time. Compressive Strength: The test specimens for determination of compressive strength of admixture cement prepared using standard metallic cube moulds adopting IS procedure for the compactions. The cubes were demoulded after 24hours of casting and cured in water having similar quality as used in preparation of mix. The cubes are tested for compressive strength for short term and long term. The 225 | Page

I. Materials and Methods

Materials: The details of various materials used in the experimental investigation are presented below. Cement: The cement used in the present investigation is of 43 grade Pozzolana Portland Cement manufactured by ACC Ltd.

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International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) www.ijmer.com Vol.3, Issue.1, Jan-Feb. 2013 pp-225-230 ISSN: 2249-6645 compressive strength is computed as the average value of the three samples. The effect of sulphuric acid on the initial and final setting times is shown in Fig 2. Both initial and final setting got retarded with an increase in sulphuric acid concentration in the deionised water. The retardation for initial setting time is significant, when the sulphuric acid concentration exceeds 150 mg/L respectively. When sulphuric acid content is 800 mg/L, initial setting time is 202 minutes which is 74 minutes more than that of control mix; similarly difference of 53 minutes is observed in the case of final setting time.
350

II. Results and Discussion

The results of the present investigation are presented both in tabular and graphical forms. In order to facilitate the analysis, interpretation of the results is carried out at each phase of the experimental work. This interpretation of the results obtained is based on the current knowledge available in the literature as well as on the nature of result obtained. The significance of the result is assessed with reference to the standards specified by the relevant I S codes; 1. The averages of both the initial and final setting times of three cement samples prepared with mixing water containing typical chemical or biological component of varying concentrations under consideration is compared with those of the cement specimens prepared with deionised water. If the difference is less than 30 minutes, the change is considered to be negligible or insignificant and if it is more than 30 minutes, the change is considered to be significant. 2. The average compressive strength of at least three cubes prepared with water under consideration is compared with that of three similar cubes prepared with deionised water. If the difference in the strength is less than 10%, it is considered to be insignificant and if it is greater than 10%, it is considered to be significant. Setting time: Hydrochloric Acid (HCl): The effect of hydrochloric acid on the initial and final setting times is shown in Fig 1. Both initial and final setting got retarded with increase in hydrochloric acid concentration in deionised water. The retardation for initial and final setting times is significant (i.e., more than 30 minutes), when the hydrochloric acid content exceeds 150mg/l and 200 mg/l respectively. When the acid content is 800 mg/l, the initial setting time is about 192 minutes, which is 64 minutes more than that of the control mix. Similarly a difference of 44 minutes is observed in the case of final setting time.
350

300

250

Setting time in minutes

200 Intial 150 Final

100

50

0 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Concentration of H2So4, mg/L

Fig.2. Variation of Setting times of admixture cement (PPC cement + 10% Silica fume) corresponding to various concentrations of H2So4in deionised water.
60

50

Compressive strength in MPa

40

3days 7days 21days

30

28days 60days 90days

20

180days 1year 2year

10

0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

Concentration of HCl, mg/L

Fig.3. Variation of compressive strength of admixture cement (PPC cement + 10% Silica fume) mortar cubes at different ages corresponding to various concentrations of HCl in deionised water. The effect of HCl on the compressive strength of admixture cement mortar is presented in Fig 3. Continuous decrease in compressive strength of the cement mortar cubes prepared with HCl acid solution is observed as the acid concentration increases till the maximum concentration (800 mg/L) tested.
0 -5 50 150 200 500 800

300

250

-10 -15

Setting time in minutes

% Change in compressive strength

200 Intial 150 Final

-20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45 -50 -55 -60

100

3days 7days 21days 28days 60days 90days 180days 1year 2year

50

0 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Concentration of HCl, mg/L

-65 Concentration of HCl, mg/L

Fig.1 Variation of Setting times of admixture cement (PPC cement + 10% Silica fume) corresponding to various concentrations of HCl in deionised water. Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4):

Fig.4. Percentage variation of compressive strength of admixture cement (PPC cement + 10% Silica fume) mortar cubes at different ages corresponding to various concentrations of HCl in deionised water. The percent change in compressive strength is presented in Fig 4. Although there is decrease in the 226 | Page

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International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) www.ijmer.com Vol.3, Issue.1, Jan-Feb. 2013 pp-225-230 ISSN: 2249-6645 compressive strength of cement mortar cube of all age samples, significant decrease is observed in all age samples. The rate of decrease in compressive strength also gradually increases with the increase in the concentration of the HCl as well as age. For the 3-day sample, significant decrease in strength starts at 200 mg/L. Similarly, for 28-day,60-day, 90-day, 180-day,1year and 2- year samples, significant decrease in strength starts at 200 mg/L, 500 mg/L concentrations respectively and the trend continues up to the maximum concentration. 2-year sample shows the maximum decrease in compressive strength with increase in concentration of HCl. When HCl concentration is 800 mg/L, the decrease in compressive strength is 36.70 % than that of the control mix.
50 45 40

compressive strength is 35 % when compared with that of the control mix.

III.

X-RAY DIFFRACTION

35 30 25 20 15 10 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 Concentration of H2So4, mg/L

3days 7days 21days 28days 60days 90days 180days 1year 2year

Fig.5. Variation of compressive strength of admixture cement (PPC cement + 10% Silica fume) mortar cubes at different ages corresponding to various concentrations of H2So4 in deionised water. The effect of H2SO4 on the compressive strength of cement mortar cubes is presented in Fig.5. Decrease in compressive strength of the cement mortar cubes prepared with H2SO4 solution is observed as the sulphuric acid concentration increases, the maximum concentration being 800 mg/l.
0 -5 -10 -15 50 150 200 500 800

% Change in compressive strength

-20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45 -50 -55 -60 -65 Concentration of H2So4, mg/L

3days 7days 21days 28days 60days 90days 180days 1year 2year

Fig.6 Percent variation of compressive strength of admixture cement (PPC cement + 10% Silica fume) mortar cubes at different ages corresponding to various concentrations of H2So4in deionised water. The percent change in compressive strength of mortar cubes prepared with various concentration of H2SO4 in deionised water is shown in Fig 6. Although there is decrease in the compressive strength of cement mortar cube of all age samples, significant decrease is observed in all age samples. The rate of decrease in compressive strength is normally varies with the increase in the concentration of the H2SO4 as well as age. And the trend continues up to the maximum concentration. 2-year sample shows the maximum decrease in compressive strength with increase in concentration of H2SO4. When H2SO4 concentration is 800 mg/L, the decrease in

Peak List Pos.[2Th Height[ct FWHM[2Th .] s] .] 21.2999 284.22 0.2854 24.6774 108.28 0.4955 27.044 808.37 0.2522 27.8776 207.59 0.2099 28.4259 815.83 0.2414 29.8629 61.46 0.017 33.171 21.87 1.773 34.6229 69.14 0.3235 36.999 95.41 0.3082 39.9368 86.14 0.2457 42.9052 94.01 0.2153 44.5205 26.66 1.9653 46.209 62.09 0.3433 47.5966 1.82 0.0013 50.5851 112.53 0.5774 60.3873 271.37 0.2481 63.6841 71.39 0.2107 64.2899 349.65 0.2524 66.4734 167.42 0.2302 68.16 278.63 0.1668 68.6174 127.28 0.8095 71.3241 356.41 0.2348 73.9238 51.08 0.6812 76.0972 158.41 0.2823 78.0615 135.48 0.2351 79.882 266.63 0.2495 80.4209 154.97 0.2624 81.8855 95.91 0.3066 82.7426 103.41 0.2265 83.3019 89.55 0.202 84.2383 135.62 0.2587 91.1915 195.95 0.2402 95.4305 30.71 0.952 99.0816 87.25 0.2877

dRel.Int.[ spacing[] 34.84 %] 4.1681 3.60474 13.27 3.29443 99.08 3.19779 25.45 3.13734 100 2.98956 7.53 2.69859 2.68 2.58867 8.48 2.42769 11.69 2.25562 10.56 2.10619 11.52 2.03345 3.27 1.963 7.61 1.90896 0.22 1.80296 13.79 1.53164 33.26 1.46006 8.75 1.44776 42.86 1.4054 20.52 1.37467 34.15 1.36662 15.6 1.32126 43.69 1.28109 6.26 1.24982 19.42 1.22321 16.61 1.19985 32.68 1.19316 18.99 1.17548 11.76 1.16547 12.68 1.15906 10.98 1.14854 16.62 1.07822 24.02 1.04121 3.76 1.0124 10.69

Compressive Strength in MPa

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International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) www.ijmer.com Vol.3, Issue.1, Jan-Feb. 2013 pp-225-230 ISSN: 2249-6645 Fig.a. X-ray diffraction pattern of powdered admixture cement (PPC cement +10% silica fume) mortar cube prepared with deionised water. 84.281 85.40 0.2406 1.1481 7.29 91.240 137.60 0.2406 1.0778 11.75 93.175 50.58 0.361 1.0604 4.32 94.473 171.35 0.3008 1.0492 14.63 95.057 91.55 0.1539 1.0443 7.82 95.516 106.10 0.1072 1.0405 9.06 96.651 87.40 0.2406 1.0313 7.46 98.430 77.50 0.1145 1.0173 6.62 99.141 168.76 0.2406 1.012 14.41 Fig.b. X-ray diffraction pattern of powdered PPC mortar cube prepared with deionised water.

Peak List Pos.[2Th Height[ct FWHM[2Th dRel.Int.[ .] s] .] spacing[] 100.00 %] 21.437 1171.43 0.3008 4.1418 22.888 86.60 0.1805 3.8824 7.39 27.210 897.90 0.2406 3.2747 76.65 27.914 284.63 0.2406 3.1937 24.30 29.965 345.90 0.3008 2.9796 29.53 34.701 91.95 0.2406 2.583 7.85 39.052 45.30 0.361 2.3047 3.87 40.027 156.15 0.2406 2.2508 13.33 40.831 93.60 0.122 2.2082 7.99 42.307 120.72 0.3008 2.1346 10.31 42.999 92.95 0.1805 2.1018 7.93 43.745 64.71 0.1498 2.0677 5.52 44.137 62.00 0.1389 2.0502 5.29 46.003 89.30 0.1348 1.9713 7.62 46.352 116.21 0.1805 1.9573 9.92 47.667 76.26 0.361 1.9063 6.51 49.402 88.41 0.3519 1.8433 7.55 50.675 254.95 0.2406 1.8 21.76 55.387 84.72 0.2406 1.6575 7.23 57.805 70.69 0.1562 1.5938 6.03 59.194 128.95 0.2406 1.5596 11.01 60.475 358.90 0.2406 1.5296 30.64 61.274 103.90 0.101 1.5116 8.87 64.471 86.67 0.2406 1.4441 7.40 66.641 56.12 0.361 1.4023 4.79 68.282 396.76 0.2406 1.3725 33.87 68.742 241.70 1.6638 1.3645 20.63 69.355 100.93 0.2406 1.3539 8.62 71.922 61.25 0.1721 1.3118 5.23 73.960 57.10 0.4813 1.2806 4.87 75.247 106.14 0.3008 1.2618 9.06 76.135 132.14 0.1805 1.2493 11.28 78.772 171.85 0.2406 1.214 14.67 80.324 75.96 0.3008 1.1944 6.48 81.939 251.31 0.2406 1.1749 21.45 82.719 221.84 0.3008 1.1657 18.94

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

d_Fit Ang- Ang- Low Upp. I-net (A1) parab COG Limit Limit 13.592 13.228 10.050 20.800 6.5094 308.41 2 3 0 0 20.903 20.907 17.250 22.000 4.2462 238.14 8 6 0 0 22.100 22.088 21.050 25.450 4.0188 125.72 7 1 0 0 26.695 26.699 26.250 26.900 3.3367 736.76 4 1 0 0 27.136 27.122 26.900 27.300 3.2835 219.26 1 2 0 0 27.462 27.459 27.250 27.650 3.2452 712.83 6 5 0 0 27.985 27.980 27.650 29.250 3.1857 143.40 7 3 0 0 29.440 29.397 28.350 30.100 3.0315 108.48 3 0 0 0 36.603 36.590 34.250 39.400 2.4530 107.85 8 3 0 0 39.526 39.498 37.150 40.250 2.2781 108.91 2 7 0 0 40.351 40.336 39.700 41.750 2.2334 73.72 4 4 0 0 42.527 42.522 41.900 45.750 2.1240 88.66 3 9 0 0 45.785 45.799 42.600 49.950 1.9802 76.19 4 5 0 0 50.191 50.202 45.900 50.450 1.8162 118.21 2 5 0 0 50.600 50.598 50.300 54.800 1.8025 106.00 0 8 0 0 54.905 54.906 50.800 59.850 1.6709 65.67 4 9 0 0

I-bgr 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FWH 2M Theta 13.592 7.1856 2 20.903 0.1787 8 18.740 22.100 3 7 26.695 0.1412 4 27.136 0.2423 1 27.462 0.1377 6 27.985 1.0316 7 25.979 29.440 4 3 36.603 0.2121 8 39.526 0.2735 2 40.351 0.8347 4 42.527 0.2558 3 45.785 1.1762 4 50.191 0.3999 2 50.600 0.3325 0 54.905 1.8828 4

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International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) www.ijmer.com Vol.3, Issue.1, Jan-Feb. 2013 pp-225-230 ISSN: 2249-6645 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Fig.7. Powdered X- Ray diffraction pattern for the cement mortar cubes prepared with HCl (500 mg/L and 800 mg/L) in deionised water. Powdered X- Ray diffraction pattern for the admixture cement (PPC+10% Silica fume) mortar cubes prepared with HCl (500 mg/L and 800 mg/L) in deionised water is shown in fig.7. The comparison of this pattern with that for deionised water indicates the formation compounds C2S hydrate (Ca2(HSiO4)(OH)),CaCl2 and AlCl3 which are evident from the presence of sets of d-spacings 1.670 for (Ca2(HSiO4)(OH),6.509, 4.246 and 3.245 for Cacl2 and 3.336 for AlCl3 respectively, which are absent in the matter for the control mix(Fig a and Fig b). The possible chemical reaction upon the hydration of cement with mixing water containing HCl is 3Cao + Al2O3 + SiO2 + 8 HClCa2 (HSiO4)(OH) + CaCl2 + 2AlCl3 + 2H2O The reason for the retardation of setting time of cement could be attributed to the formation of -C2S hydrate (Ca2 (HSiO4) (OH)). The reaction of cement with water containing HCl leads to the formation of chlorides of calcium and aluminum in addition to -C2S Hydrate (Ca2(HSiO4)(OH)). Among these, chlorides of calcium and aluminum are soluble. Even silica forms a colloidal solution. Significant decrease in compressive strength at longer duration, i.e., 21-day onwards, could be due to the formation of soluble chlorides. 2.161 2 2.129 6 1.981 2 1.927 8 1.859 4 1.819 4 1.672 2 41.76 13 42.41 01 45.75 95 47.10 34 48.94 71 50.09 54 54.85 95 41.75 81 42.38 79 45.75 91 47.11 23 48.95 66 50.10 40 54.90 38 39.65 00 41.90 00 42.80 00 45.95 00 47.35 00 49.65 00 53.80 00 42.25 00 43.20 00 47.00 00 48.20 00 49.75 00 51.35 00 58.30 00 72.00 88.80 96.80 81.67 72.34 154.0 1 57.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.665 1 0.291 7 0.336 7 0.424 7 0.749 4 0.332 3 1.877 3 41.76 13 42.41 01 45.75 95 47.10 34 48.94 71 50.09 54 54.85 95

N d_Fit Ang- Ango 6.752 parab 13.27 1 (A1) 13.10 COG 2 12 60 2 3.769 23.58 23.60 4 23.96 24.03 3 3.709 36 58 9 73 54 4 3.347 26.60 26.60 3 91 68 5 3.250 27.41 27.39 9 27.89 27.90 6 3.195 30 65 5 82 71 7 2.457 36.53 36.50 4 39.46 39.44 8 2.281 60 84 7 15 76

Low Limit 10.10 00 23.05 00 23.70 00 26.25 00 26.80 00 27.60 00 34.25 00 39.00 00

Upp. Limit 20.70 00 25.45 00 26.25 00 27.15 00 27.75 00 34.75 00 39.30 00 39.85 00

I-net 397.6 6 173.8 5 126.6 1 1256. 87 282.6 0 225.7 2 159.6 6 223.3 4

I-bgr 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FWH M 7.977 9 0.542 1 17.15 98 0.134 6 0.212 5 0.243 2 0.183 5 0.213 2

2Theta 13.10 12 23.58 36 23.96 73 26.60 91 27.41 30 27.89 82 36.53 60 39.46 15

N d_Fit Ang- Ang- Low Upp. I-net I-bgr FWH 2o 4.5955 19.298 19.314 16.850 20.800 107.32 69.6 0.7462 19.298 M Theta 1 (A1) parab COG Limit Limit 8 20.909 16.850 22.300 182.13 36.3 0.1398 20.908 9 0 0 6 8 2 4.2453 20.908 2 3 0 0 5 2 3 3.9720 22.364 22.363 21.050 24.800 95.87 25.4 0.6246 22.364 5 8 0 0 5 5 4 3.3403 26.665 26.683 26.500 26.850 1104.1 32.4 0.1423 26.665 7 29.457 29.150 29.650 327.98 34.9 0.1813 29.449 8 0 0 3 0 7 5 3.0306 29.449 3 9 0 0 1 3 6 2.2798 39.495 39.504 39.300 39.700 79.13 16.7 0.2497 39.495 2 40.284 40.150 40.500 73.18 14.1 0.2290 40.310 4 0 0 8 2 7 2.2356 40.310 0 8 0 0 8 0 8 2.1244 42.518 42.512 41.850 43.100 63.51 6.62 0.3539 42.518 9 6 0 0 9 9 2.0944 43.159 43.202 42.650 45.400 53.93 4.13 0.6775 43.159 5 45.653 45.250 48.600 67.13 0.00 0.5764 45.618 6 0 0 5 10 1.9870 45.618 6 1 0 0 6 11 1.8644 48.806 48.778 48.150 49.300 175.24 0.00 0.2658 48.806 6 50.156 49.700 50.900 95.75 0.00 0.2424 50.165 8 0 0 6 12 1.8171 50.165 5 5 0 0 5 13 1.6707 54.910 54.912 53.650 58.000 53.12 0.00 0.5028 54.910 2 9 0 0 2 14 1.5852 58.148 58.140 57.950 59.850 60.55 0.00 0.3299 58.148 2 6 0 0 2 Fig.8. Powdered X- Ray diffraction pattern for the admixture cement (PPC+10% Silica fume) mortar cubes prepared with H2SO4 (500 mg/L and 800 mg/L) in deionised water. Powdered X- Ray diffraction pattern for the admixture cement (PPC+10% Silica fume) mortar cubes prepared with H2SO4 (500 mg/L and 800 mg/L) in deionised water is shown in fig.8. The comparison of this pattern with that cubes prepared with deionised water indicates the formation of -C2S(-Ca2SiO4),CaSo42H20 and Ca(OH)2 compounds which are evident from the presence of sets of d-spacings 3.195,1.981 and 1.672 for -Ca2SiO4 , 4.245 and 1.817 for CaSo42H20 and 3.195 and 2.457 for Ca(OH)2 respectively, which are absent in the matter for the control mix (Fig a and Fig b). The possible chemical reaction upon the hydration of cement with mixing water containing H2SO4 is 4Cao + SiO2 + H2SO4 + 2H2OCa2SiO4 + CaSO4 2H2O + Ca (OH)2 229 | Page

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International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) www.ijmer.com Vol.3, Issue.1, Jan-Feb. 2013 pp-225-230 ISSN: 2249-6645 The possible reason for the retardation of setting of cement is the formation of CaSO4,2H2O. if the cement is mixed with H2SO4, it leads to formation of gypsum and calcium hydroxide, in addition to Dicalcium silicate ( -Ca2 SiO4). Among these, sulphate of calcium is soluble. Even silica forms a colloidal solution. Significant decrease in compressive strength at shorter duration may be due to the formation of soluble sulphates. The sulphate-bearing water penetrates the hardened cement paste and the final damage to the hardened cement paste is due to the formation of voluminous water-rich calcium compounds. Calcium sulphate formation goes through a process leading to the reduction of stiffness and strength; this is followed by expansion and cracking, and eventual transformation of the material into a mushy or non cohesive mass at longer periods. It is evident that between these two, the effect of H2SO4 is the more critical, against which great care is mandatory. Reaction with HCl leads to the formation of chlorides of calcium and aluminum, which are soluble. But the reaction with H2SO4 leads to formation of calcium sulphate and calcium hydroxide. Sulphate-bearing water penetrates the hardened cement paste and forms voluminous calcium compounds. Reduction in stiffness and strength along with expansion and cracking finally transforms the materials into a non cohesive mass at long duration. It is observed form the results that the strength of 2-year sample made with HCl is 36.67 %, which is comparatively higher than that of H2SO4 which is 35%.

V. CONCLUSIONS
1. Presence of HCl in water retards significantly the initial and final setting in concentrations more than 200mg/L. Its concentration higher than 200mg/L results in significant decrease in compressive strength. 2. Presence of H2SO4 in water retards significantly the initial and final setting in concentrations more than 200mg/L. Its concentration higher than 200mg/L results in significant decrease in compressive strength. 3. Strong acidic substances like HCl and H2SO4 in water reduce the compressive strength significantly with respect to increasing concentration as well as age. Thus, care to be taken while using such water for cement mortar and concrete.

IV. Effect of Strong Acids

The strong acidic compounds generally present in water are HCl and H2SO4. The effects of these at various concentrations in deionised water on the initial and final setting times of cement and on the compressive strength of cement mortar cubes were already discussed in the above sub sections. The behavior of strong acidic compounds is elucidated in a comprehensive manner as follows: Both HCl and H2SO4 in deionised water retard the initial as well as final setting times phenomena at all concentrations (Fig 1. and Fig 2.). HCl in deionised water decreases the compressive strength of mortar cubes, the decrease being significant only at ages varying from 3day to 2- year samples. H2SO4 also decreases compressive strength at all ages, is significant only at ages varying from 3-day to 2- year samples (Figs 3 to 6). By comparing all these results of strong acidic compounds with those of the control mix, it is evident that both HCl and H2SO4 affect the compressive strength negatively. This negative effect increases with respect to increase inn concentration as well as duration. Hence, both HCl and H2SO4 are the most critical compounds against which a lot of care should be taken if they exist in the mixing water and their concentrations should not be more than 50 mg/L.

REFERENCES
[1] [2] [3] [4] Fidestol, (2001): Use of Microsilica Concrete Indian Concrete Journal. IS 516:1959: Methods of Test for Strength of Concrete. IS 650:1966: Standard Sand for Testing of Cement (First Revision), Indian Standards Institution, New Delhi. Mehta, P.K. (1983): Pozzolanic and Cementitious by Products as Mineral Admixtures for Concrete - A Critical Review, Proceedings of ACI Special Publication, ACI-SP79, pp. 1-43. Mehta, P.K. (1984): Testing and Correlation of Fly Ash Properties with Respect of Pozzolanic Behaviour, CS-3314, Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto California, Jan. Mehta, P.K. (1988): Pozzolanic and Cementitious Biproducts in Concrete- another Look, ACI-SP-114, Vol. 1, pp. 1-43.

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[6]

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