Durability parameters of three low-carbon concretes (low clinker, alkali-activated slag and supersulfated cement)

The general transfer properties (water porosity, mercury intrusion porosimetry, water permeability, capillary absorption, gas permeability and resistivity) and chloride penetration resistance (natural chloride diffusion test and rapid chloride permeability test) of three low-carbon concretes C25/30 (low clinker (LCK) concrete, alkaliactivated slag with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3-AAS) concrete and supersulfated cement (SSC) concrete) were evaluated and compared, in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each technology. The results show that the LCK concrete is characterized by "excellent" transfer properties (low water porosity, gas permeability, water permeability and capillary absorption) but high viscosity in the fresh state and very high chloride permeability. AAS and SSC concretes have similar transfer properties, comparable to classical concretes C25/30, and are extremely resistant to chloride penetration. Finally, the use of traditional protocols for durability tests applied to alternative low-carbon binders is questioned and metrology adaptations are proposed.