Carbonation resistance: Accelerated determination and limiting values based on Swiss standard method

Author(s): F. Moro, F. Hunkeler, P. Nygaard, S. Cuchet
Paper category: Workshop
Book title: RILEM International workshop on performance-based specification and control of concrete durability
Editor(s): D. Bjegović, H. Beushausen, M. Serdar
ISBN: 978-2-35158-135-3
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-136-0
Pages: 85 - 92
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: 
In July 2013 a new Swiss standard SIA 262/1 for the evaluation of the carbonation resistance of concrete using an accelerated test has come into effect. Simultaneously, new performance based specifications for concrete for the exposure classes XC3, XC4 and XD1 and corresponding upper limits for the carbonation coefficient KN, used as measure for the corrosion resistance, have been defined in the Swiss application document SN EN 206-1.
The usefulness of an accelerated durability test depends a) on its precision and b) on a sound description (prognosis) of the practical behavior of on-site concrete. The conformity assessment is closely related to measurement uncertainty. This paper reports the results of a preliminary round robin test with the accelerated carbonation test according to SIA 262/1, Annex I. Four laboratories tested eight concretes mixtures produced with two w/c ratios (0.40 and 0.65) and four different cement types.
The carbonation depth was determined not only with the commonly used phenolphthalein solution, but also with thymolphthalein solution as a pH indicator on the corresponding second broken surface.
The results show that repeatability, reproducibility and sensitivity of the accelerated carbonation resistance method is well suited for the differentiation of different concretes.

Online publication: 2013
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00