MOUNDOM Amadou, YEMENE TAKOU Landry, NGAPGUE François, TAMO TATIETSE Thomas

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22859632

The durability of offshore structures is a major challenge in the context of port infrastructure development in Cameroon. Quay piles, which are permanently submerged in a marine environment, are particularly exposed to physico-chemical stresses that can impair their performances and reduce their lifetime. To tackle this challenge, this study focuses on the design of a low-permeability hydraulic concrete intended for this type of structures. The objective of this work is to design a durable concrete using local materials whilst limiting the penetration of aggressive agents into the cementitious matrix. The materials used are Sanaga sand 0/5, crushed gravels 5/16 and 16/25 from the Logbadjeck quarry, Dangoté cement CEM II 42.5 R, water and the Sika ViscoCrete – 2025 HE superplasticiser. The Sika ViscoCrete – 2025 HE is used for all concretes where we want great workability with a low water/cement ratio, short term high mechanical strengths, and low porosity. Its dosage varies between 0.3 and 2% by weight of cement and the values 0%, 0.3% and 2% are considered in this work. The aggregates underwent physical and mechanical characterisation through several laboratory tests (gravel cleanliness, sand equivalent, particle size analysis, specific gravity, bulk density and water absorption). The concrete mix design was carried out using the Dreux-Gorisse method, chosen for its suitability for local materials and its ability to optimise concrete compactness. Compressive and tensile strength tests were carried out on hardened concrete. The results obtained showed an average compressive strength increasing from 31,2 MPa for 0% superplasticiser to 32.725 MPa for 2% superplasticiser at 28 days and from 32,5 MPa for 0% superplasticiser to 34.19 MPa for 2% superplasticiser at 35 days. The average water absorption coefficients on the hardened concrete decreased from 2.01 % for 0% superplasticiser to 1.29% for 2% superplasticiser. The study also highlighted the importance of granular compactness and control of the water-to-cement ratio in reducing permeability and improving the durability of concrete in a marine environment or for offshore construction. The results demonstrated that it is possible to produce, using locally available materials in Cameroon, a durable hydraulic concrete suitable for the construction of permanently submerged quay piles.

Hydraulic concrete, low permeability, durability, marine environment, quay piles, local materials

The durability of offshore structures is a major challenge in the context of port infrastructure development in Cameroon. Quay piles, which are permanently submerged in a marine environment, are particularly exposed to physico-chemical stresses that can impair their performances and reduce their lifetime. To tackle this challenge, this study focuses on the design of a low-permeability hydraulic concrete intended for this type of structures. The objective of this work is to design a durable concrete using local materials whilst limiting the penetration of aggressive agents into the cementitious matrix. The materials used are Sanaga sand 0/5, crushed gravels 5/16 and 16/25 from the Logbadjeck quarry, Dangoté cement CEM II 42.5 R, water and the Sika ViscoCrete – 2025 HE superplasticiser. The Sika ViscoCrete – 2025 HE is used for all concretes where we want great workability with a low water/cement ratio, short term high mechanical strengths, and low porosity. Its dosage varies between 0.3 and 2% by weight of cement and the values 0%, 0.3% and 2% are considered in this work. The aggregates underwent physical and mechanical characterisation through several laboratory tests (gravel cleanliness, sand equivalent, particle size analysis, specific gravity, bulk density and water absorption). The concrete mix design was carried out using the Dreux-Gorisse method, chosen for its suitability for local materials and its ability to optimise concrete compactness. Compressive and tensile strength tests were carried out on hardened concrete. The results obtained showed an average compressive strength increasing from 31,2 MPa for 0% superplasticiser to 32.725 MPa for 2% superplasticiser at 28 days and from 32,5 MPa for 0% superplasticiser to 34.19 MPa for 2% superplasticiser at 35 days. The average water absorption coefficients on the hardened concrete decreased from 2.01 % for 0% superplasticiser to 1.29% for 2% superplasticiser. The study also highlighted the importance of granular compactness and control of the water-to-cement ratio in reducing permeability and improving the durability of concrete in a marine environment or for offshore construction. The results demonstrated that it is possible to produce, using locally available materials in Cameroon, a durable hydraulic concrete suitable for the construction of permanently submerged quay piles. For further works, values of superplasticiser of 0.5, 1, and 1.5% should be investigated.

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MOUNDOM Amadou, YEMENE TAKOU Landry, NGAPGUE François, TAMO TATIETSE Thomas (2026). Study Of The Formulation And Durability Of A Low-Permeability Hydraulic Concrete For Quay Piles In Permanent Immersion For Offshore Construction: The Case Stydy Of Quay Seventeen (17) At The Autonomous Port Of Douala, Littoral Region Of Cameroon.. International Journal of Engineering and Techniques, 12(5), 223–237. ISSN: 2395-1303. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22859632