Saline water for Concrete Mix

[Eabrar]

Hi,
I have some questions regarding quality of water suitable for concrete mixing:
1. Which standard define quality of water (i.e TDS, Electric conductivity, sulphates, cholrides etc) suitable for concrete mixing?

2. Can water with high value of total dissolved salts used for mixing of concrete?

3. If yes, is there any requirement of additional chemicals for concrete mix using saline water?

Best regards,

Abrar Akbar

 

[LittleWheels]

Chlorides promote reinforcement corrosion.

 

[bimr]

Potable water should be used for concrete mixing.

"Other Ingredients
Although most drinking water is suitable for use in concrete, aggregates are chosen carefully. Aggregates comprise 60 to 75 percent of the total volume of concrete. The type and size of the aggregate mixture depends on the thickness and purpose of the final concrete product. Almost any natural water that is drinkable and has no pronounced taste or odor may be used as mixing water for concrete. However, some waters that are not fit for drinking may be suitable for concrete.

Excessive impurities in mixing water not only may affect setting time and concrete strength, but also may cause efflorescence, staining, corrosion of reinforcement, volume instability, and reduced durability. Specifications usually set limits on chlorides, sulfates, alkalis, and solids in mixing water unless tests can be performed to determine the effect the impurity has on various properties. Relatively thin building sections call for small coarse aggregate, though aggregates up to six inches (150 mm) in diameter have been used in large dams. A continuous gradation of particle sizes is desirable for efficient use of the paste. In addition, aggregates should be clean and free from any matter that might affect the quality of the concrete. "

http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_concretebasics.asp

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Go to this page of my website and download the out-of-print documents "Concrete In Seawater" and "Mixing Water For Concrete". Both documents address using sea water in the mix.

http://www.slideruleera.net/PCA-Page.html

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[kenvlach]

Eabrar, what codes are required by your contract?

If you cannot avoid using saline water, there are various means to protect the reinforcing steel: coatings, cathodic protection, corrosion inhibitor. Read
"Materials and Methods for Corrosion Protection..." at

http://www.tfhrc.gov/structur/00-081.pdf

Corrosion inhibitors such as calcium nitrite can be effective if the Cl/NO₂ is < 1.

One supplier with more info:

http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/product.cfm?mode=c&id=4&did=1