The Effect of Limestone Powder Characteristics on Sulfate Attack of Cement-Based Materials in Low-Temperature Saline Soil Areas of Northwest China

In this study, the impact of a saline soil environment at low temperatures on the durability of cement-based materials is investigated. Specifically, we examine the effects of varying limestone powder content and fineness on the sulfate attack capability of cement-based materials with limestone powder (CMLP). The study includes a comparative analysis, and the sulfate attack life of CMLP is predicted under the influence of an electric pulse based on the Wiener process model. Our findings revealed that CMLP experiences more pronounced damage with higher limestone powder content and fineness during both sulfate immersion and accelerated erosion induced by an electric pulse. Moreover, the electric pulse enhances the sulfate attack compared to immersion across samples with different limestone powder content and fineness. Notably, at a low temperature of 5 °C, the formation of gypsum, ettringite, and thaumasite was observed in the samples, with the characteristic peaks of erosion products becoming more apparent with increased limestone powder content and fineness. Using the Wiener model, the reliability degradation analysis indicated that the accelerated erosion life of samples with 10% and 20% limestone powder content, as well as specific surface areas of 1468 and 1785 m²/kg, under accelerated erosion by electric pulse, were 310, 160, 208, and 165 days, respectively. Overall, our study underscores the importance of considering the content and fineness of limestone powder when harnessing it as a constituent material in cement-based materials, especially in low-temperature saline soil environments.