Strength and porosity evolution of two cement mortar submerged in pig slurry

Abstract

Pig slurry is an agricultural by-product used chiefly to fertilize cultivated fields. The demand for fertilizer depends on crop cycles. So, the slurry must be stored over long periods of time. In Spain, the lagoons of different depths generally used for such storage are made of brick covered with plain or reinforced concrete. Also, the slurry is in contact with other precast concrete structural members. The degradation of these structures may entail substantial economic loss, in patterned flooring especially, where deterioration-induced collapse can cause severe injury to the animals. The paper presents two aspects related to the durability of the mortar cements. In it addresses the variations observed in porosity and flexural and compressive strength in two types of cement mortar when submerged in pig slurry. The tests were conducted in a 100 m3 experimental lagoon. The mortars were exposed to three types of environments for 36 months: one outside the test lagoon and two submerged in it, at two different depths. Bending and compression measurements were taken after 3, 12, 24 and 36 months. In addition, 3, 24 and 36 month specimens were tested for total porosity and pore-size distribution