This paper discusses the use of doping technique in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between Portland cement paste and lateritic aggregates with the objective of promoting the implementation of structural concrete. Doping technique consists of establishing the initial impregnation of the aggregate with a high performance paste in order to improve its binding to the matrix. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis system is used to observe the results of the technique in the ITZ. The results are observed through an analysis of the cement hydration products formed in the ITZ. An ITZ with high concentration of large crystals of calcium hydroxide (CH) is observed in plain concrete, whereas in concrete prepared with doping technique the ITZ is rich in calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). This result confirms the possibility of using this material, which has no commercial value nowadays, as an alternative aggregate for elaborating structural concrete.

Para que as estruturas de concreto alcancem uma vida útil adequada é necessário avaliar a durabilidade e considerar a manutenção das mesmas. Isso tem estimulado o desenvolvimento de tecnologias destinadas a solucionar a problemática de peças deterioradas ou danificadas. Este trabalho analisa o comportamento da zona de interface entre concreto novo e velho após a escarificação do concreto velho (tratamento físico) e o emprego da técnica de dopagem (tratamento químico). A técnica de dopagem consiste na impregnação de pó por via seca ou pasta de alto desempenho, seguida do lançamento de concreto novo, ou no lançamento direto de um concreto novo com características de alto desempenho. O desempenho dessa ligação foi avaliado por meio de ensaios de tração na flexão, até a ruptura, em corpos de prova prismáticos de concreto simples (fck = 20 MPa) e em seguida remoldados. A partir dos resultados, verificou-se que a ruptura dos corpos de prova recuperados ocorreu fora da região de interface e que as resistências à flexão desse concreto foram mantidas tais quais as originais, demonstrando a eficácia do procedimento na ligação entre concreto novo e velho.

In order for concrete structures to have an adequate lifetime it is necessary to assess their durability and also to consider their maintenance. This has encouraged the development of specific technologies to solve problems concerning deteriorated and damaged parts. This study analyses the behavior of the interface zone between fresh and old concrete after scraping the old concrete (physical treatment) and also using the doping technique (chemical treatment). The doping technique consists in dry powder or high performance paste impregnation followed by fresh concrete pouring, or direct pouring of fresh high performance concrete. The performance of that connection was evaluated through flexural tensile tests until failure. The tests were carried out on conventional concrete prismatic specimens (fck = 20 MPa). At the end of the tests the specimens were remolded. The results indicated that the failure in the remolded specimens occurred outside the interface zone and the flexure resistance values were the same when compared to the original values, showing the efficacy of the procedure for connecting fresh and old concrete.