Preface

Author(s): M. Alexander, N. De Belie
Paper category: workshop
Book title: Performance of cement-based materials in aggressive aqueous environments – characterization, modelling, test methods and engineering aspects
Editor(s): Nele De Belie
Print ISBN: none
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-059-2
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Pages: 1
Total Pages: 1
Language: English

Abstract: The RILEM Technical Committee “Performance of cement-based materials in aggressive aqueous environments” (TC-PAE) focuses especially on the problems of concrete and cement-based infrastructure having to operate in aggressive aqueous environments, including:
• natural environments such as soft or aggressive waters giving rise to concrete leaching;
• public health environments with their associated drainage and treatment structures such as sewers, conduits, waste tanks, etc.;
• water supply infrastructure with the provision of dams and canals;
• groundwater and other sulphate-bearing solutions;
• industrial and marine structures with natural or artificial highly aggressive environments.

In all these cases, concrete is subjected to a process of degradation whereby mass/ionic exchange processes occur leading to a breakdown of the matrix microstructure and a weakening of the material. In some cases this can be extremely rapid and serious, such as in acidic environments, whether industrially or biogenically generated. In other cases degradation occurs over long periods of time, but the scale of the problem is such that the consequences are also severe, e.g. major dams, marine works, etc. Many industrial processes also generate aggressive aqueous solutions some of which can leach or attack concrete. Furthermore with increasing levels of acid rain being experienced world-wide, the ability of concrete to withstand this form of aggressive attack is also important.

The workshop “Performance of Cement-based Materials in Aggressive Aqueous Environments – Characterisation, modelling, test methods and engineering aspects”, organised on September 3rd 2007 in Ghent, will allow the TC-PAE working groups to present intermediate results of their work. Furthermore, experts in the field have been invited to contribute articles within one of the different working group themes:
• nature of aggressive aqueous environments including measures of aggressiveness and degradation and deterioration mechanisms for different cement-based materials;
• degradation and service life prediction models for concrete structures in these environments and their effectiveness in being universally applicable;
• appropriate test methods to assess performance of cement-based materials in aggressive environments, which can be used to characterise and rate relative performance, as well as to inform long term predictions;
• survey and analysis of the scale of the problem world-wide; studies of in-situ performance of concrete structures in aggressive environments.

This workshop offers an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and share practical experience regarding the performance of concrete exposed to aggressive solutions. We hope that these proceedings will be a useful scientific contribution to this field of research and that they will help the TC-PAE members to extend the state of the art report that is in preparation, with new information.

Prof. Mark Alexander
TC-PAE Chairman
Prof. Nele De Belie
Local organiser and chair of WG3 of TC-PAE

Online publication: 2008
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00