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Procedia Engineering 00 (2015) 000–000
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

The 5th International Conference of Euro Asia Civil Engineering Forum (EACEF-5)

Improving microstructures of concrete using Ca(C18H35O2)2

Agus Maryoto a*
a
Jenderal Soedirman University, Jl. Mayjend. Sungkono KM 5, Blater, Purbalingga,Jawa Tengah, 53371, Indonesia

Abstract

Most of the water used in the concrete evaporates after the concrete hardens. Due to this processes, there are
millions of capillaries in the hardened concrete. Consequently, concrete is a porous material. The liquids and gases
enter into the concrete through the capillaries. Penetrability of the fluids into the concrete can be reduced using some
methods. One of them is using additives which increase hydrophobic property of concrete. Hydrophobic action in
the concrete can be achieved by adding stearic acid. This study tries to investigate effect of Ca (C 18H35O2)2 (calcium
stearate) in the microstructures of the concrete. Five contents of calcium stearate is utilized which are 0, 1, 2, 3, and
4 kg in one cubic meter of concrete mix. Three testing model which are compressive stress test, permeability test
and macro cell corrosion test, are conducted in order to study the effect of calcium stearate in the concrete. Each
testing model consists of 15 specimens. Cylinder with 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height, cube 150 mm x 150
mm x 150 mm and beam with 280 mm length, 224 mm width and 152 mm height are tested for compressive stress,
permeability and macro cell corrosion respectively. The results show that usage of calcium stearate tend to increase
compressive stress of concrete until the content of calcium stearate is 4 kg, but the increasing is insignificant.
Concrete with 3 kg of calcium stearate produces the minimum value of permeability and macro cell corrosion.
Based on the result, it can be concluded that calcium stearate improves microstructures of concrete.
© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of The 5th International Conference of Euro Asia Civil Engineering
Forum (EACEF-5).

Keywords: porous material; hydrophobic action; permeability; macro cell corrosion; microstructures.

* Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected]

1877-7058 © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of The 5th International Conference of Euro Asia Civil Engineering Forum (EACEF-5)
2 Author name / Procedia Engineering 00 (2015) 000–000

1. Background

The relationship between costs and sizes in any production systems is rationally modeled as monotonic increasing
Concrete is a porous material which is composed of cement paste and aggregate. During hardening process, water in
fresh concrete evaporate and consequently, millions capillaries and pores are formed. Liquid and gas can infiltrate
easily into concrete through this capillaries with and without pressure [1]. Even though, water and oxygen infiltrate
and reach the surface of steel bar embedded in concrete, corrosion may not take place automatically on the steel.
This is because a passive film is formed on the surface of steel bar in alkaline solution of concrete [2]. The most
dangerous stage is when sufficient corrosive ions i.e. chloride and sulfate reach the surface of the steel bar [3].
Penetration of sufficient corrosive ions terminates protection of passive film and furthermore corrosion attack on the
steel bar begins [4].
The water absorption of the concrete is caused by capillary pore surface tension [5]. There are three protection
methods to minimize reinforced concrete structure from corrosion attack. Materials which are usually produced from
latex, are coated on the surface of concrete structure. This layer has a perfect impermeability in order to avoid
infiltration of fluid materials. Membranes are ordinarily utilized to protect penetration of water into concrete as well.
Unfortunately, service life of materials coating and membranes is lower than service life of concrete. The most
advantageous protection method is usage of additive material which is mixed with concrete to improve its
microstructures. This method indicates that steel bar is protected from corrosion attack as long as service life of
concrete structure, because the additive material forms a unity with concrete.
Reduction of water absorption in concrete can be achieved by decreasing capillary radius and increasing contact
angle between surface of concrete and a water droplet. As an effect of contact angle escalation, hydrophobic
concrete is then composed. The most effective treatment to minimize corrosion attack is realized using hydrophobic
concrete [6]. There are two types of steel corrosion in concrete which are as microcells and as macro cell [7].
Microcells corrosion occurs when adjacent anodic and cathodic reacts to lead uniform iron dissolution on the whole
surface. Carbonation of the concrete by very high chloride content is a trigger to generate uniform corrosion on the
steel bars. On the other hand, chloride induced corrosion (pitting) is promoted by macro cell. Macro cell corrosion
rate is higher than the microcell both in the vertical and horizontal concrete reinforcement [8]. The material derived
from material soap, butyl stearate and materials of petroleum products have the effect of preventing the water
penetration in order to protect and minimize corrosion attack at the steel bar in concrete [9]. The investigation
showed that calcium stearate usage in concrete decrease water absorption of concrete. Even though, a better property
of concrete is formed due to calcium stearate, direct correlation to protect the steel bar in concrete from corrosion is
still lacked and does not clarify yet. This study investigated the influence of calcium stearate to improve generally
microstructure of concrete based on macro cell current testing.

2. Specimens

Table 1 shows quantity of specimens. Symbol of “C” indicates calcium stearate and the number with of “C” is the
content of calcium stearate in each meter cubic of concrete. Mix proportion of concrete is composed of 480 kg
cement, 490 kg of fine aggregate, 1150 kg of coarse aggregate, 205 kg of water and calcium stearate. It content
correspond to code in Table 1. The mix proportion of concrete and detail of materials are tabulated as Table 2.
Appearance of calcium stearate is shown in Figure 1 and the physical specification is detailed in Table 3. Cylinder
with 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height and cube with 150 mm sides are utilized to investigate compressive
strength and permeability respectively. Moreover, concrete beam with steel bar embedded inside is employed to
verify the macro cell current. The dimension of the beam is 279 mm width, 152 mm height and 280 mm length.
Figure 2 based on ASTM G 109-99a [10] shows the detail of the specimen of macro cell current and the dimension
is converted in millimeter.
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Table 1. Quantity of specimens.

Quantity of specimens
Code of specimen
Compressive strength Permeability Macro cell current
C0 3 3 3
C1 3 3 3
C2 3 3 3
C3 3 3 3
C4 3 3 3

Table 2. The mix proportion of concrete.

Unit weight (kg/m3) Water/Cementitious

No
Cement Calcium stearate Sand Crushed stone Water (%)
1 480 0 490 1190 205 0.427
2 480 1 490 1190 205 0.426
3 480 2 490 1190 205 0.425
4 480 3 490 1190 205 0.424
5 480 4 490 1190 205 0.423

Table 3. Physical properties of calcium stearate.

Characteristic Analysis
Formula Ca(C18H35O2)2
Appearance White fine powder
Melting point 1200C
Free fetty acid 0,5% maks.
Loss on drying 2% maks.
Metal 0,65 ppm
Specific gravity 1,03

Fig. 1. Calcium stearate

Fig. 2 Specimen of macro cell current (a) three dimensional and section view; (b) side view.
4 Author name / Procedia Engineering 00 (2015) 000–000

3. Experimental procedures

3.1. Compressive strength

After fresh concrete is casted in the cylinder molding in 1 day old, then the molding is released to remove harden
concrete specimen. Curing are conducted by covering with wet mattress on the concrete specimen in order to keep
humidity of specimen until 28 days old. Cylinder specimen are tested using compressive machine. The maximum
load when the specimen reach compressive strength is calculated.

3.2. Permeability

Experimental procedures for permeability testing is conducted based on DIN 1048 part 1 [11]. Testing specimens
begins at an age of 28 days. The diameter of the area for water pressure on the surface of specimens is 100 mm. At
first a pressure of 10 N/mm2 is applied for 48 hours, then pressures of 30 N/mm2 and 70 N/mm2, each for 24 hours,
one after the other. The test can be stopped when water comes through. Immediately after the test, the test specimen
is to be split in the middle by compression applied on two round steel bars lying on opposite sides, above and below.

Fig. 3 Permeability test (a) process of water penetration; (b) water penetration depth.

As soon as the split surface has dried somewhat, the greatest penetration depth in mm and the distribution of the
water penetration are to be established. When splitting and making this examination, the side of the test specimen
exposed to the water pressure should face downwards. The greatest water penetration depth, measure on the tested
concrete, is taken as the average value of the greatest penetration depth on three test specimen. Figure 3 shows the
process of water penetration testing.

3.3. Macro cell current

Experimental procedures for macro cell current test follow ASTM G 109 – 99a [10]. After the specimens were
removed from the moist room, hand wire brushed the specimens on the concrete top surface. The specimens were
allowed to dry for two weeks in a 50% relative humidity environment before sealing the four vertical sides with an
epoxy sealer. A silicone caulk was used to seal the dam from the outside and epoxy sealer was applied to the top
surface outside of the dam. Each test specimen was supported on two non-electrically conducting supports at least
13 mm thick, this was to allow air flow under most of the specimen. The specimens were ponded for two weeks at
23 ± 3oC with salt solution. The volume of this solution was approximately 400 ml at a depth of 40 mm. A plastic
loose fitting cover was used to minimize evaporation. After two weeks, the solution was vacuumed and the samples
were allowed to dry for two weeks.This cycle was repeated for 4 times.
Figure 4 shows the processes to measure macro cell current. Calculate the current, Ij, from the measured voltage
across the 100-ohm resistor, Vj, measured in volts by Equation 1.

Ij = Vj/100 (1)
 Author name / Procedia Engineering 00 (2015) 000–000 5

Fig. 4 Macro cell current test. (a) connection between anode and cathode; (b) measure the voltaage

4. Result and discussion

4.1. Material for concrete

Ordinary Portland Cements type I with specific gravity 3.15 kg/m3 is utilized as a binder material in concrete.
Fine aggregate is natural sand taken from Serayu River, Central Java, Indonesia. Beside of them, coarse aggregate
which is from crushed granite stone is consumed. The specific gravity in saturated surface dry condition, fineness
modulus and clay lumps content are 2.54, 2.97 and 4% consecutively for fine aggregate as well as 2.60, 7.00 and 0.3%
consecutively for coarse aggregate. They show that the natural sand and crushed granite stone meet to Indonesia
National Standard for concrete aggregate [12].

4.2. Compressive strength

The compressive strength test is conducted after 28 days concrete ages. The result is shown in Fig. 5. It shows
that compressive strength as a function of content of calcium stearate in concrete. Regarding this result, it shows that
compressive strength of concrete increase due to calcium stearate usage, but the development is insignificant. The
rising of the compressive stress may be affected by water cementitious ratio in concrete. By adding calcium stearate
water cement ratio of concrete is a little reduced. It can be traced based on the concrete mix proportion. Additional
of calcium stearate is not followed by increasing of water to keep the water cement ratio.

Fig. 5 Compressive strength.

4.3. Permeability

Improvement of permeability due to calcium stearate usage in concrete was identified [13]. The result is showed
in Fig. 6. The figure shows relationship between calcium stearate content in concrete and permeability of concrete.
6 Author name / Procedia Engineering 00 (2015) 000–000

Concrete without calcium stearate has higher permeability than concrete with calcium stearate. Increasing of
calcium stearate content reduces penetration of water in concrete. It means that concrete with calcium stearate is
more impermeable. This result meets to [5] that stearate compounds can improve microstructures of concrete. The
penetration of water can be reduced mainly due to hydrophobic ability of concrete. As consequent, contact angle
between concrete surface and water also rise. Higher contact angle, penetration of water in concrete is more difficult.
The second reason, this is not significant influence, is that capillaries diameter of concrete with calcium stearate
is smaller than concrete without calcium stearate. It can be confirmed using mix proportion and result of
compressive strength in Fig. 4.1. By addition of calcium stearate in concrete, water and cementitious ratio of
concrete is a bit reduced. When the evaporation in concrete is under processing, capillaries formed has smaller
diameter. It needs more energy, when water penetrates into concrete. With smaller diameter of capillaries, it means
that concrete is more solid. Another influence due to diminution diameter of capillaries in concrete is increasing of
the compressive strength. It can be clarified using Fig 5. Based on those results, compressive strength of concrete
increase due to addition of calcium stearate in concrete.

Fig. 6 Permeability of concrete.

4.4. Macro cell current

Figure 7 shows the results of macro cell corrosion test. The figure correlates between content of calcium stearate
in concrete as horizontal line and macro cell current as ordinate. Concrete without calcium stearate indicate that the
fastest corrosion processes take place on it. The tendency can be clarified using macro cell current result. This
specimen has a macro cell current about 0.0060 µA. The higher macro cell current, steel bar embedded in concrete
is faster corroded by external corrosive ion. On the other hand, concrete with calcium stearate has a better property
in order to reduce the corrosion attack. Based on the Figure 7, the result of macro cell current are about 0.0023 µA,
0.0020 µA, 0.0020 µA and 0.0023 µA for concrete specimen with calcium stearate 1 kg/m 3, 2 kg/m3, 3 kg/m3 and 4
kg/m3 consecutively. It can be determined that calcium stearate usage in concrete reduce significantly corrosion
attack in reinforced concrete structure. Concrete with various calcium stearate content have a little deviation of
macro cell current result. Improvement of microstructure of concrete has insignificant macro cell current due to
increasing calcium stearate content. Especially in concrete with calcium stearate 4 kg/m3, increasing of macro cell
current value is started. This may be caused by the dosage of calcium stearate is too much. As a consequence, a part
of calcium stearate does not react with the cement. When the fresh concrete is change to harden concrete, the
calcium stearate occupy the hole of capillaries as unreacted compound. The unreacted calcium stearate will be
released from the hole of capillaries when the harden concrete is contacted to water. As the effect, radius of the
capillaries formed is increased very slightly. Finally water and chloride ions more easily infiltrate into the concrete.
 Author name / Procedia Engineering 00 (2015) 000–000 7

Fig. 7 Macro cell current.

5. Conclusions

Penetration of water into concrete is already investigated which is measured using wetting sign due to water in
inner of concrete, as well possibility level of corrosion is inspected using macro cell corrosion test. Based on those
results, the following conclusion are drawn:
 Calcium stearate does not have a significant effect on compressive strength of concrete. There are no
reduction of compressive strength of concrete due to additional of calcium stearate as additive in concrete.
 Calcium stearate improves microstructure of concrete which is shown by reducing permeability value.
Calcium stearate 4 kg/m3 in concrete increases impermeability of concrete around 50%.
 Level of corrosion is also reduced when the calcium stearate is added in concrete. This tendency is shown by
lowering of macro cell current on concrete with calcium stearate.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial support for this research from Indonesian government, especially Directorate of
Higher Education, Ministry of National Education, Indonesia.

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