Evaluation of the durability of the mortar for joints with calcinated clays applied in the Alacranes pavón canal

Abstract

Cuba currently has a network of canals made up of prefabricated slabs throughout the country, which guarantee the irrigation of agricultural products. These channels are today in clear deterioration, especially the expansion joints for which an expansive mortar was formulated and applied in 300 m of channel, managing to meet its two main operating objectives: guarantee expansion levels for lateral closure of the joints with concrete slabs without collapsing due to confinement stress and high impermeability during their useful life to prevent water seepage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the durability of the expansive mortar three years after its application and to verify that it continues to present the properties for which it was formulated. To this end, a series of standardized tests were carried out using cores extracted in situ and on-site tests to evaluate electrical resistivity, carbonation and capillary absorption. Its results were compared with the traditional mortar that is applied in the rest of the joints and it is shown that the formulation based on calcined clays and limestone provided improvements to the new material applied. With the effectiveness of this expansive mortar, imports can be replaced since all raw materials were national. With the application of this new product throughout the canal, water losses can be recovered that will guarantee the irrigation of more hectares of rice in the plans. The extension of this new product to the rest of the existing channels in the country could multiply this impact.