Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286

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Case Studies in Construction Materials

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Case study

Durable concrete specification development and

implementation for the New International Airport of Mexico
Carlos Airea,*, Alma Reyesb
a
Engineering Institute of the National University Autonomous of Mexico, Mexico
b
AURAC Consulting & Construction, Mexico

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history: This paper reviews the concrete specification development for the New International
Received 29 June 2019 Airport of Mexico (Nuevo Aeropuerto Internacional de Mexico, NAIM). The first phase
Received in revised form 12 September 2019 involves the pour of more than 3 million m3 of concrete of different specifications to fulfill
Accepted 28 September 2019
the requirements of the variety of structures. Concrete durability is one of the top priorities
given the lake soil conditions, which includes the presence of chlorides, sulfates and other
Keywords: components that potentially implies a high severity structure durability risk. This article
Durability
focuses on the specification development, industrial implementation and concrete
Low permeability
Crack self- healing
performance review through Mexican and International test methods. An outstanding
Water pressure test method landmark has been set up in Mexico through this project on the engineering, construction
Permeability reducing admixture for materials and techniques. An overview of the local concrete component materials,
hydrostatic pressure concrete conditions mechanical, workability, low permeability (ASTM C1202, BS EN 12390-8, NT Build 492 and
Supplementary cementitious materials NMX C514) and crack self-healing (Mexican Procedure) properties are presented.
Airport From the diferent concrete technology approaches, the densification with silica fume and
the crack self-healing ability provided by a proven permeability reducing admixture for
concrete exposed to hydrostatic pressure conditions (ACI 212 type PRAH), were preferred.
The performance of two mix designs is presented. High resistivity to chloride ion and water
under pressure ingress, as well as crack self-healing ability of at least 80% where
demonstrated under standard test methods. The information provided in this paper
corresponds to the bid base line.
© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC
BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

1. Introduction

The New International Airport of Mexico (NAIM) is the most important infrastructure project in Mexico and certainly one
of the biggest projects worldwide currently in process. The master plan has been developed by ARUP Group and PARSONS. It
involves a modern organic architectural design of space and light created by Foster + Partners, FR-EE, NACO and the Mexican
Architect Fernando Romero (see Fig. 1). The runways and general master Civil Engineer works are in charge of the TASANA
Consortium (TADCO, SACMAG and NACO Groups). The main building contemplates spans of up to 170 m, supported by
funnels (see Fig. 2), with a lightweight glass and steel roof and façade. All the service provisions are considered underground.
It has been designed on LEED Platinum features, taking advantage of the sun power; rainwater use; and thermal, acoustic and
ventilation benefits.

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: aire@pumas.iingen.unam.mx (C. Aire).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00286
2214-5095/© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
2 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286

Fig. 1. General view render of the NAIM Terminal Building render by Foster + Partners.

Fig. 2. Funnel construction over a durable foundation concrete at the NAIM.

Its development is executed in a 734,000 m2 area. It has gathered diverse Mexican construction companies in a variety of
segmented contracts adding efforts to complete the first stage, which is expected to be finished by 2020 with an investment
of US$ 9800 millions. At that point, the NAIM will count on 3 operating runways with a capacity of 68 million passengers/
year. The second stage, considers 6 simultaneous operating runways for a capacity of 120 million passengers/year by 2060.
This magnificent infrastructure project is executed under a public and private investment co-directed by the Mexican
Communications and Transportation Secretary (SCT) and the Mexico City Airport Group.
Over the years, concrete durability has gained a place in specifications due to the non-structural related deterioration.
However, the clarity on the beneficial characteristics required for each application is still not readily reflected in the
specification documents. In some cases, they do not take into account important durable concrete properties; sometimes
they do not consider the proper testing methods or the local standards availability or correspondence; or in other cases, they
do not consider the local materials, which can entail not expected concrete performance results.
The NAIM has represented an interesting experience on various fields. Its magnitude and complexity imply a specification
compendium. Concrete durability is one of the carefully-analyzed specifications that have been improved over this project
development ever since its original versions, in order to consider the local materials characteristics. The concrete
developments are unique and definitively are establishing an unprecedent background on durability technologies in Mexico.
It is worth notice that, various parties have participated to undertake this task, among which the TASANA Consortium and
the Engineering Institute of the National University Autonomous of Mexico (UNAM) are found.
In this ambitious assignment, the use of avantgarde technologies and engineering solutions have been required to
succeed at all the tremendous related challenges. The NAIM is been built on top of the region that used to contain the Texcoco
Lake in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. Besides the engineering challenges to provide a solution for the high compressive
 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286 3

Fig. 3. Soil appearance at the NAIM.

nature plastic soil (see Fig. 3), its interstitial water chemical analysis exhibited very high chloride and sulfate concentrations
at both the building and the runways zones, which implies a classification of severe to very severe concrete attack. Therefore,
concrete durability has been one of the main features foreseen in order to provide sound structures for the 100-year service
life expectation under the extremely severe ambient conditions. The main ready-mix concrete producers have installed
impressive facilities at the NAIM to exclusively supply the required concrete volume for the various structures that give form
to this historical Mexican project. It is important to mention that they have continuously supply concrete with high controls
24/7 in various project stages.
This paper is devoted to the durable concrete specifications developed in the Mexican market, that have given shape to
the actual elevated requirements, and its industrial implementation. A description of the main test methods required is
presented; just like the performance results of the concrete mixes that have detailed the current specifications.

2. NAIM durable concrete

Durability of concrete structures involves various aspects such as materials attributes, design considerations,
construction procedures and exposure conditions during its service life. Low permeability is one of the main features of
a durable concrete, given that it allows the decrease of substances ingress into the concrete mass. This results on the risk
reduction or occurrence delay of structure deterioration phenomena, such as steel reinforcement corrosion, sulfate attack,
alkali-silica and other physicochemical reactions. Furthermore, the underground and liquid containment structures can
exhibit filtrations, active leaks and moist transmission under service conditions, causing an operative risk of the facilities and
inconveniences to the building users.
Studies executed by the UNAM Engineering Institute had provided valuable information with regards to the soil
exposition conditions. As previously mentioned, the airport is being built on the bed of the former Texcoco Lake. The chloride
and sulfate concentrations were measured at different depths and found in values of up to 46,223 ppm and 2700 ppm,
respectively. A typical sea water chloride concentration of 15,000 ppm can cause deleterious effects on the steel
reinforcement due to the corrosion potential phenomenon. The presence of a much higher chloride concentration, warned
the NAIM Engineering Team on the durability specifications level of exigence for the underground structures mainly.
Entailing low permeability and crack reduction features as the mix design core.
Low permeability of concrete is a function of various factors that interact simultaneously, such as the mix design, the
cementitious material composition, the use of compatible high range water reducing admixtures, low permeability
technologies, supplementary cementitious materials, the curing conditions and the concrete maturity, that promote the
physicochemical reaction of pore refinement and disconnection. The concrete mix considers the following components and
characteristics in order to meet the high structural and durability requirements of the NAIM:

 Due to the high sulfate attack risk, the cement selected was Type RS according to NMX C414 [1], which corresponds to a
sulfate resistant cement. It is worth notice that, the Mexican cements are standardized by performance, not by
composition. This local standard difference with respect to what is used in other countries, has brought important
controversies for the mixes’ implementation and approvals.
 The need to count on a dense concrete matrix, brought to the scene the use of silica fume that meets ASTM C1240 [2]
specifications. The dosage rate was reviewed in order to take advantage of the filler and pozzolanic actions of this
supplementary cementitious material, considering an adequate rheology to facilitate the placement operations. The silica
fume percentage used was also defined upon fulfillment of the low permeability requirements, considering a range of 7 to
14% of the total cementitious material. This supplementary cementitious material is a key concrete component given that
the efficient densification and strength development highly prevents the chemical attack of the concrete matrix coming
from the adverse surrounding soil ambient.
4 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286

 Fly ash was also admitted as a supplementary cementitious material, but not as a silica fume replacement. Given that in
Mexico their composition differs from the classification of other countries, their use was accepted upon fulfillment of all
the specified concrete parameters. Some concrete mix designs included up to 20% of this supplementary cementitious
material as a cement replacement.
 A Permeability-Reducing Admixture for concrete exposed to Hydrostatic conditions (ACI 212 Type PRAH) [3] was selected
as the technology to reduce permeability through cementitious crystallization which enhances the concrete liquid
penetration resistance under pressure conditions. In the presence of moisture, it provides important benefits on the
capillary absorption reduction, ions penetration reduction (chloride, sulfate and others) and promotes the microcrack and
non-structural cracking self-healing of up to 0.5 mm width opening. This powder admixture is dosed at a typical rate of
0.8% with respect to the cement content by weight. Its performance in concrete is verified through standard tests methods.
 The mix design of high-performance concrete considers a low water/cementitious material (w/cm) ratio, which is
generally defined by the severity of the exposure conditions. It is worth notice that, the reduction of the permeability
cannot be obtained by the only consideration of the w/cm decrease. The cementitious material considered and the PRAH
crystallization technology contribute significantly to the permeability reduction in high-performance concretes. The
water/cementitious material (w/cm) ratio was required as a maximum value of 0.40 in the original specifications.
However, the fulfillment of the durable parameters, drove to the use of very low values of w/cm ratio in the range of 0.33 to
0.37.
 The cementitious material composition and the w/cm lead to a careful compatibility review of the high range water
reducing and cement stabilizing admixture system in order to provide an optimum cement content use for the required
mechanical and durable properties, together with adequate workability features for its placement. Compatible
polycarboxylate technologies were preferred in formulations meeting the ASTM C494 Type F [4] (NMX C255 Type F [5]).
Even if the ready-mix facilities are located within the NAIM, the admixture system was dosed in order to provide a robust
mix with 1–2 hours of slump retention with no retarding effect on set time and strength development. This prevention was
mainly guided by the transport, haul and placement operations.
 All the general adequate concrete practices are also addressed, such as the use of fine and coarse aggregates sound, dense
and hard that meets NMX C111 [6]. Special attention is also paid to their low reactivity potential with cement alkali
content. Just like the fulfilment of the water for concrete production according to NMX C122 [7].

As herein mentioned, the concrete durability parameters required are mainly oriented to the low permeability and
non-structural crack self-healing performance. A summary is presented in Table 1.
It is worth notice that, other superstructure concretes also consider some of these durable parameters in order to provide
an integral continuous protection.

3. Concrete durability test methods specified

Concrete permeability can be tested by direct and indirect standard test methods. There are different ways to measure the
low permeability performance. The testing methods selected depends on the exposure condition considered, because the
intention of the tests is to reproduce the structure service life conditions. In this section, a description of the low
permeability-related test methods required in the NAIM specifications is presented.

Table 1
Durable concrete main requirements for underground structures of the NAIM.

Characteristic Test Method Specification

Slump NMX C156 [8] 180  35 mm
Unit weight NMX C162 [9] > 2200 kg/m3
Air content NMX C157 [10] <3%
Compressive strength at 28 days NMX C083 [11]  215.7 MPa
Modulus of elasticity at 28 days NMX C128 [12]  30.4 GPa
Abrasive resistance at 90 days ASTM C944 [13] 2g
Drying shrinkage at 90 days ASTM C157 [10]  600 mm/mm
Chloride ion penetrability at 90 days ASTM C1202 [14]  1000 Coulombs
NMX C155 [15]
Resistance to sulfate attack at 1 year ASTM C1012 [16]  0.1%
( 0.01% at 8 weeks)
Water penetration depth at 56 days BS EN 12390-8 [17]  10 mm
Coefficient of chloride migration at 90 days NT Build 492 [18]  2.5  10 12 m2/s
Electric resistivity at 56 days NMX C514 [19]  40 kV
cm
Self-healing ability at 90 days (8 weeks of water pressure Mexican procedure test  80%
exposure for cracks of up to 0.5 mm opening) based on GB 18445/1 [20]
 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286 5

Fig. 4. Equipment setting for the determination of the concrete indication to resist chloride ion penetration as per ASTM C1202 [14] (NMX C155 [15]).

3.1. Electrical indication of concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration – ASTM C1202 [14] (NMX C155 [15])

This method corresponds to an indirect permeability test to evaluate the concrete chloride ion penetration resistance, in
cylinders of 100 mm diameter by 50 mm height, as per ASTM C1202 [14] (NMX C155 [15]). Specimens are obtained from
100  200 mm cylinders. The equipment setting allows a rapid measurement of the electrical charge, in Coulombs, that
passes through a specimen in a 6 -h lapse time at 60 volts (see Fig. 4). Its outcome is highly dependent of the cementitious
material components, the w/cm ratio of the concrete, the specimens’ condition at testing (cracks, size, alignment and
moisture, mainly) and the test implementation adequacy. The resultant Coulombs are compared with a scale offered by these
standards as shown in Table 2.
The specimens’ pre-condition is crucial to reduce the measurements variability. They must be placed at a vacuum
chamber for 3 h to then be totally immersed for 18 h. Each treated specimen is placed in a hermetic cell that has a sodium
chloride solution at the negative end (3.0% NaCl), and a sodium hydroxide solution at the positive end (0.3 N NaOH). At the
voltage application, a current flow is generated from the negative end to the positive one. The setting includes a computer
software that registers the charge passed in Coulombs.

3.2. Water penetration depth under pressure conditions – BS EN 12390-8 [21] (DIN 1048 [22])

By these test methods the water penetration depth is determined under a 72 -h continuous hydrostatic pressure of at
least 0.5 MPa (50 m water column). Fig. 5 presents a diagram of the specimen test arrangement. The specimens are tested at
the specified age, considering a standard water-cure laboratory condition. That is, in the case of ordinary concretes, the
testing time is at 28 days, and for concretes containing supplementary cementitious materials, the testing time can be at 56
or 90 days.
The standard considers the use of 150 mm cubic specimens; however, in Mexico cylinders are the common concrete
specimens. Thus, this test is implemented with 75 mm diameter  150 mm height cylinders. After demolding the specimen,
the surface that will receive the water pressure, is smoothed down with a metal brush. Then, the water cure time starts until
de specified testing age. The cylinder is then placed on the testing device providing hermeticity at the borders to assure the
water pressure application only at the top. Controlled water pressure is applied onto the specimen surface for 72 h
continuously. A modified test (DIN 1048 part 5 [22]) considers the repetition of the mentioned conditions for 4 cycles. If the
specimen has filtration signs on the sides not exposed to water, the result validity is questioned. Once the specimen has
received the water pressure for the specified time and number of cycles, the specimen is retired from the testing device and
the excess water is clean out. Thereafter, the specimen is cut in half to measure the water penetration depth (Fig. 6).

Table 2
Chloride ion penetrability classification based on the charge that passes according to ASTM C 1202 [14] (NMX C155 [15]).

Charge passed (Coulombs) Chloride ion penetrability

>4000 High
2000 – 4000 Moderate
1000 – 2000 Low
100 – 1000 Very low
< 100 Negligible
6 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286

Fig. 5. Water permeability test diagram according to BS EN 12390-8 [21] (DIN 1048 [22]).

Fig. 6. Cylinders conditioning and test implementation as per NT Build 492. [22].

3.3. Chloride ions migration coefficient – NT Build 492 [18]

The NORDTEST NT BUILD 492 [18] standard allows the determination of the no-stationary chloride ions migration
coefficient. That is, an electric current is induced to promote the chloride ions ingress into the concrete. This test reflects the
concrete ability to resist the ingress of chloride and other deleterious ions into its matrix, which has to do with the
permeability and porosity characteristics. The specimens correspond to 100 mm diameter  50 mm height cylinders, which
are conditioned similarly to the ASTM C1202 [14] (NMX C155 [15]) requirements. The exposition period involves alternate
immersion of a sodium chloride solution and a sodium hydroxide one. It lasts from 24 to 96 h. The test is developed at 30 V
registering the current. After completing the test, the specimen is cut in half and sprayed topically by silver nitrate. A white
silver nitrate film is formed in the presence of chloride ions. The chloride penetration depth is measured as the average of
seven measurements taken at the width of the specimen. The migration coefficient is computed from the chloride ions
penetration depths, the specimen width, exposure time, voltage and average temperature. The classification of the chloride
ions ingress resistance according to this test method is presented in Table 3.

3.4. Non-structural crack self-healing ability test – Mexican procedure

This test method is conceptually based on the Chinese standard GB 18445/1 [20]. The objective of this test method is the
determination of the concrete ability to self-seal cracks of up to 0.5 mm opening during the test period. The water flux, that
passes through a cracked-induced specimen, is determined over 8-week cycles of water injected with a pressure in the range

Table 3
Classification of the chloride ions ingress resistance according to NT Build 492 [22].
12
Migration coefficient (Dnssm) x 10 m2/s Chloride ions ingress resistance
>15 Low
10 – 15 Moderate
5 – 10 High
2.5 – 5 Very high
< 2.5 Extremely high
 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286 7

Fig. 7. Crack induction accessory for the Mexican non-structural crack self-healing ability test.

of 0.1–1.5 MPa (10–153 m water column). The concrete ability to self-seal cracks is determined as the water flux decrease by
an autonomous reaction.
In Mexico it was implemented for cylinders of 75 mm diameter  150 mm height. Specimens are produced, conditioned
and cured according to NMX C159 [23]. After demolded, the cylinders are immersed in water at standard laboratory
conditions of 23  2  C for 4  2 days awaiting the controlled crack procedure. Experience has shown that the induction of
adequate cracks (continuous and in an opening of up to 0.5 mm) is more reliable when produced within the first 6 days of the
specimen elaboration. The crack is induced by an equipment device shown in Fig. 7, which is installed in a press machine as
depicted in Fig. 8. It is worth notice that, the applied load speed rate to produce the controlled crack is a function of the
concrete strength. The crack is considered adequate if the cylinder shows the crack on both sides as continuous as possible.
After the crack induction, the specimen must remain united. Cylinders are then water-cured in laboratory standard
conditions until the test age is reached. For ordinary concretes, the testing time is at 28 days, and for concretes containing
supplementary cementitious materials, the testing time can be at 56 or 90 days in order for the pozzolanic reactions to take
place.
For the water pressure procedure, the specimens are sealed in a plastic film, enveloped by a neoprene sleeve and silicon
sealed to only allow the water flux travels from the top to the bottom cylinder surfaces only through the crack, with no leaks
to the sides, as shown in Fig. 9. The already prepared cylinders are then placed within the steel mold in the water pressure
device.
The water pressure applied to the specimens is a function of the crack opening in order to allow a precise water amount
measurement. The determined water pressure is maintained during all the test. It is automatically applied twice per day with

Fig. 8. Crack induction installation for the Mexican non-structural crack self-healing ability test.
8 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286

Fig. 9. Controlled crack specimens conditioning for the water pressure procedure of the Mexican non-structural crack self-healing ability test.

a 10-minute duration at each application for 8 weeks (cycles) in a testing device as shown in Fig. 10. The water flux is
measured per cylinder each week, providing a water flux vs. cycle and a crack self-healing percentage vs. cycle curves.

3.5. Electrical resistivity test – NMX C514 [19]

This test method provides an indirect indication of the steel reinforcement corrosion level or its risk of occurrence. The
electric resistivity is a function of the exposure type, specimen size, porosity, permeability, sound conditions and
carbonation degree, mainly. Specimens must not include steel bar or fibers. They are immersed in water until the test age
according to NMX C122 [7]. The actual resistivity measurement is considered valid when is constant and the successive
readings have variations lower than 5%. The test assembly is shown in Fig. 11.
The general criteria, from the experience in Mexico, for the qualification of the corrosion occurrence risk is presented in
Table 4.

4. NAIM durable concrete performance characterization

For the NAIM, durable concrete mixes were engineered to provide adequate performance to the sub-structure
construction, given that the soil conditions are extremely severe. Concrete mixes were designed to provide a maximum
protection to high concentration of chlorides, sulfates and organic materials; since under such environment, there is a high
potential of steel reinforcement corrosion, volumetric changes due to sulfate attack and in general accelerated structure
deterioration.
The performance results of the concrete mixes that meet the required specification are presented in Table 5. The mix
designs DC1 and DC2 correspond to two different formulations with components fulfilling the required specifications. All
samples were taken from industrial productions.
The parameters reported of DC1 and DC2 fulfill the specifications requirement. The development of these concrete mixes
passed through an integral design and review process in order to count on robust characteristics that assure the minimum
variability as possible. Some related findings are presented herein.

Fig. 10. Automatic water pressure testing implementation for the Mexican non-structural crack self-healing ability test (Courtesy of CEMEX).
 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286 9

Fig. 11. Electrical resistivity test device according to NMX C514 [19].

Table 4
Electric resistivity evaluation criteria according to NMX C514 [19].

Resistivity Corrosion occurrence risk

> 100 to 200 kV
cm Very low
50 to 100 kV
cm Low
10 to 50 kV
cm Moderate
< 10 kV
cm High*
*
Corrosion rate must be obtained through NMX C501 [24].

Table 5
NAIM Durable concretes performance characterization.

Characteristic Standard Test Method Durable Concrete 1 Durable Concrete 2 Units

(DC1) (DC2)
Slump NMX C156 [8] 210 180 mm
Unit weight NMX C162 [9] 2391 2380 kg/m3
Air content NMX C157 [10] 1.1 1.5 %
Compressive strength at 28 days NMX C083 [11] 59.9 63.7 MPa
Compressive strength at 90 days NMX C083 [11] 62.7 68.6 MPa
Flexural strength at 28 days NMX C191 [25] 5.1 5.1 MPa
Modulus of elasticity at 28 days NMX C128 [12] 30.8 31.4 MPa
Modulus of elasticity at 90 days NMX C128 [12] 32.3 33.3 MPa
Abrasive resistance at 28 days ASTM C944 [13] 4.1 NA g
Abrasive resistance at 90 days ASTM C944 [13] 1.8 NA g
Drying shrinkage at 28 days NMX C173 [26] 150 300 mm/mm
Drying shrinkage at 56 days NMX C173 [26] 397 450 mm/mm
Chloride ion penetrability at 28 days ASTM C1202 [14] 491 NA Coulombs
NMX C155 [15]
Chloride ion penetrability at 56 days ASTM C1202 [14] 451 400 Coulombs
NMX C155 [15]
Resistance to sulfate attack at 56 days ASTM C1012 [14] 0.01 0.01 %
Water penetration depth at 28 days BS EN 12390-8 [17] 16 14 mm
Water penetration depth at 56 days BS EN 12390-8 [17] 9 10 mm
12
Coefficient of chloride migration at 28 days NT Build 492 [18] 2.73  10 NA m2/s
12
Coefficient of chloride migration at 56 days NT Build 492 [18] 1.43  10 NA m2/s
12
Coefficient of chloride migration at 90 days NT Build 492 [18] NA 2.50  10 m2/s
Electric resistivity at 56 days NMX C514 [19] NA 75 kV
cm
Self-healing ability at 90 days (8 weeks of water Mexican procedure test based on 92 81 %
pressure exposure for cracks of up to 0.5 mm opening) GB 18445/1 [20]

NA: Non-Avaliable result.

The slump obtained for the two mixes was measured after one-hour retention. As previously mentioned, one of the key
durability factors is an adequate placement, which is related to the concrete workability features. Both mixes were designed
to be placed by pump.
The air content is even less than 2% in both cases, which provides information on the well-controlled high range water
reducing admixture systems and their compatibility with cement.
10 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286

Fig. 12. BS EN 12390-8 [17] test method performed on a Reference mix and DC2.

The compressive strength overpassed the 58.8 MPa specified as a target at 28 days for the DC1 and the DC2 mixes. Notice
that, the cementitious composition on both cases, favors the compressive strength development after the 28-day period, just
like the flexural strength value. This is due to the pozzolanic reaction together with the filler effect of the very fine particules
of the supplementary cementitious material composition. The gain on compressive strength at 90 days, provides an
indication of the reactivity of the cementitious materials.
The abrasive resistance characteristic provides an indication of the quality of the concrete paste and aggregates. The lower
the result, the higher the quality of the concrete. It improves with the time, due to the reactivity of the cementitious
components and filler ability, which in this case, promotes a denser transition zone. Thus, improving the response to
evaluations such as the abrasive resistance one.
Drying shrinkage reflects the mix balance with respect to the paste/aggregate ratio, the cementitious material
composition adequate use and amount, the water content and the w/cm ratio. The resultant drying shrinkage
determinations for DC1 and DC2 at 56 days are lower than the specified value, which corresponds to a high favored durable
condition.
The chloride ion penetrability values measured for DC1 and DC2, as per ASTM C1202 [16], fall within the range of very low
penetrability. This result provides an indication of the difficulty of substances to pass through the concrete matrix. However,
it does not account for actual ions ingress nor water pressure. This is one of the reasons why other durability tests contribute
to a more integral concrete characterization.
The resistance of sulfate attack is a primordial durability test, since the soils were found as a high risk of expansions due to
this pathology. Values obtained meet the specification.
The BS EN 12390-8 [17] test method allows the measurement of a direct water permeability condition. The results found
for both, DC1 and DC2, meet the specification, and imply that the water ingress under a 1 MPa pressure do not overpasses the
cover depth. A picture of the resultant water depth is shown in Fig. 12, for a Reference concrete produced with silica fume and
fly ash (41 mm depth); and DC2 (0 depth) that includes the same cementitious materials composition and the use of PRAH.

Fig. 13. DC1 average coefficient of chloride ions migration performance at 28 and 56 days under the NT Build 492 test method [18].
 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286 11

Fig. 14. Chloride ions migration depth at 56 days according to NT Build 492 [18].

Fig. 13 presents the average performance of DC1 compared to its Reference mix containing 14% silica fume under the NT
Build 492 test [18]. Three samples were tested per concrete mix. The importance of this test is the risk measurement of
chloride ions ingress. The no-stationary penetration provides a suitable method to be applied for high performance concrete.
The two mixes reached a very high resistance to chloride ions ingress at 28 days and an extremely high resistance at 56 days.
It is remarkable the synergy of the PRAH technology with silica fume, allowing the reduction content of the last one by 4%,
preserving equivalent performance of the Reference mix. This advantage is mainly reflected in the concrete mix rheology
that favors a better concrete manipulation for placement operations.
As NT Build 492 describes, the coefficient of chloride ions migration is computed from the penetration depth found
together with other testing factors. Even if the chloride ions penetration depth does not correspond to the final test result, it
provides valuable information of its proximity to the steel reinforcement (see Fig. 14). Notice that, the Reference mix
containing 14% silica fume, just like DC1 with lesser silica fume amount, had equivalent performance, showing a chloride
ions penetration depth of 11.6 and 12.6 mm, respectively. Such migration depth can imply that the chloride ions ingress at 56
days does not compromise the steel reinforcement as the covers considered in this project are bigger than 25 mm.
The electric resistivity reported for DC2 reflects a low corrosion occurrence risk. It is indicative of the mix design nature.
This result complements the other evaluation tests considered in the specification. Due to the easiness of the test, once
established an acceptable value, it can serve as a quality control method.
The cementitious crystallization admixture technology (PRAH), used in DC1 and DC2, actively supplies the self-healing
concrete ability for the structure service life protection, due to the formation of resistant insoluble hydration products with
water presence in hardened concrete. Such products progressively close the microcracking, which leads to a significant
reduction of the water flux that passes through the structure. A comparison of the PRAH use with reference mixes of
equivalent composition in each case, are shown in Figs. 15 and 16. Controlled cracks obtained had an opening range in
between of 0.3 and 0.5 mm.

Fig. 15. DC1 average crack self-healing performance at 56 days under the Mexican procedure test based on GB 18445/1 [20].
12 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286

Fig. 16. DC2 average crack self-healing performance at 56 days under the Mexican procedure test based on GB 18445/1 [20].

In Fig. 15, the comparison is made with a Reference mix, containing 14% silica fume content, and DC1, which presents a
silica fume reduction and the use of the PRAH technology at 0.8% by weight of cement. Two samples were tested of each mix
design. The crack self-healing ability was determined as 92% for DC1, while its Reference mix reported a 32%.
With regards to Fig. 16, a Reference mix of equal composition is compared to DC2. Both mixes contain the same proportion
of silica fume and fly ash in their composition. However, DC2 contains an addition of 0.8% by weight of cement of the PRAH
technology. Three samples were tested of each mix design. The crack self-healing ability was determined as 81% for DC2,
while its Reference mix reported a 10%.
The different performance found in the values found for DC1 and DC2 is influenced by the cement composition and the
cementitious material composition, mainly. On both cases, the concrete crack self-healing ability obtained corresponds to a
high value that meets the NAIM specification and benefits the durability of the concrete structure.
On the other hand, it can also be inferred from Figs. 15 and 16, that the pozzolanic action of silica fume and fly ash are
limited on the ability to seal concrete cracks.

5. Conclusions

The NAIM magnificent project has been carefully detailed in all phases. All puzzle pieces are fundamental for its success.
Concrete durability is one of the foundation keys due to the challenging soil conditions. The performance of two concrete mix
designs (DC1 and DC2) were presented in the spirit of setting a precedent on the implementation of durable concrete, just as
sharing the Mexican experience. Various remarks and recommendations are delivered from the almost two-year
development process involved for the concrete mix designs and verification. The following conclusions draw a summary of
them:

 Durable concrete features need to be set considering the local components as the resultant performance is highly
influenced by them. In addition, local implementation of the testing methods must be anticipated, in order to count on
local independent laboratories that can perform the required tests methods for the concrete design stage and the quality
control stage process.
 Besides the mechanical resistance, high-performance concretes count on durability characteristics such as low
permeability, self-healing ability, cracking reduction, among others that contribute to lower the risk of occurrence of
physicochemical phenomena like the steel reinforcement corrosion and the formation of other expansive components.
 Different approaches can be followed to undertake the steel reinforcement corrosion attack mitigation. The one selected in
the f’c =58.8 MPa NAIM specification is the concrete strict low permeability and non-structural crack self-healing. This
approach not only prevents and delay the steel corrosion risk, but also provides protection from other chemical attacks,
coming from sulfates, magnesium and other deleterious substances.
 The NAIM specification allows different cementitious material approaches to meet the requirements. This was verified for
DC1 and DC2.
 The adequate performance testing must include the parameters determination at ages of 56 and 90 days or even later,
because its mode of action corresponds to a progressive activation over the time.
 The implementation in Mexico of a crack self-healing evaluation test method has brought an excellent resource for
approvals of the PRAH technologies. It has delivered extremely valuable information on the mechanism differences of the
mentioned admixtures in comparison with the cementitious materials alternatives.
 Once the mix design meets all the specified requirements, its performance continuity can be verified by the electrical
resistivity test method (NMX C514 [19]). The simplicity of such test allows its preference as a frequent quality control
 C. Aire, A. Reyes / Case Studies in Construction Materials 11 (2019) e00286 13

method. It is worth notice that, the only test that cannot be implicitly assessed are the water pressure-related tests such as
the Mexican procedure test based on GB 18445/1 [20] and the BS EN 12390-8 [17].
 Concrete is a heterogeneous material, which porosity and permeability are a function of the aggregate characteristics and
the cementitious paste quality. It is feasible to reduce the paste permeability through cementitious materials and proven
crystallization technology (PRAH). The former highly contributes to the pore refinement and permeability reduction from
the beginning, while the last improves the concrete durability during the structure service life due to its chemical reaction
with the hydration cement products in moisture conditions, providing new permanent formations of hydrated calcium
silicate and calcium carbonate crystals.
 It is worth notice that, a low permeability concrete is only a part of a watertight structure system. The construction
techniques must account for the rest of the waterproofing system to complete an integral structure solution.

Declaration of Competing Interest

None.

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