Performance of Unwashed Fine Sea-Sand Concrete: Mechanical Enhancement via Seawater Curing and Thermal Behavior in Mass Structures
Received: 16 December 2025 | Revised: 26 January 2026 | Accepted: 4 February 2026 | Online: 4 April 2026
Corresponding author: Van Toan Nguyen
Abstract
This study evaluates the feasibility of using unwashed fine sea sand (fineness modulus of 1.1 and chloride content of 0.06%) in mass concrete structures, examining the mechanical optimization and thermal safety by integrating 10–30% class F Fly Ash (FA) and 5% Silica Fume (SF) with sulfate-resistant cement. The experimental results show that seawater curing increased compressive strength by up to 5 MPa compared to air curing, due to the acceleration of hydration by marine ions and the moisture-assisted pozzolanic reaction working together. The mixture containing 20% FA and 5% SF (FA20SF5) exhibited an optimal balance of workability and strength. A 500 cm × 200 cm × 120 cm mass concrete block exhibited a maximum core temperature of 60 °C, with the radial thermal gradient remaining below 16 °C and settling within 200 h. These results suggest that, despite the presence of accelerating ions in unwashed sea sand, its thermal behavior remains manageable.
Keywords:
compressive strength, mass concrete, sea sand, seawater curing, thermal behaviorDownloads
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Copyright (c) 2026 Van Trieu Nguyen, Van Toan Nguyen, Van Minh Mai, Van Kien Dong, Khac Ngoc Ho
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