Abstract
In this study, thin mortar specimens were immersed in either ion exchanged water or NaCl solution for 360 days for the purpose of evaluating the relationships between changes in mechanical characteristics and physico-chemical properties caused by Ca leaching. Following the immersion test, bending and shear tests were carried out to determine the elastic modulus, flexural strength, tensile strength, fracture energy, tensile softening curve and shear strength. Furthermore, physico-chemical properties such as calcium hydroxide and porosity were also determined by chemical analysis. Based on these results, the relationships between the mechanical characteristics and physico-chemical properties were evaluated. Bending strength, tensile strength, fracture energy and shear strength were found to be strongly related to the amount of cement hydrate and porosity, both for the ion exchanged water immersed and the NaCl solution immersed specimens.
