INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF LEACHING ON THE SCALING RESISTANCE OF CONCRETE

Author(s): Rosenqvist, M., Hassanzadeh, M., Long-Wei, `P. and Terzic, A.
Paper category: Conference
Book title: XIII International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components - XIII DBMC
Editor(s): Marco Quattrone, Vanderley M. John
Print ISBN: none
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-149-0
Publication year: 2015
Pages: 392-399
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: Damage to the concrete surface can be observed at the waterline of hydraulic structures in fresh water bodies in cold climates. Gradual deterioration of the concrete surface leads to exposure of coarse aggregate. Superficial damage at the waterline is commonly assumed to be caused by drifting ice floes. However, deterioration of concrete at the waterline may also involve leaching and frost action. The objective of this study is to investigate if leaching of calcium compounds changes the surface properties of concrete in such an extent that the scaling resistance is reduced.

Specimens with water to cement ratio 0.62 and 0.54 were submerged in deionised water at +20°C and pH 4 ± 0.1 in order to accelerate leaching of calcium compounds. The scaling resistance of concrete was assessed according to the Swedish test method SS 13 72 44. The results show that the scaling resistance of concrete is reduced if calcium compounds have been leached out from the surface. The results also show that the longer the time of leaching, the greater the reduction in scaling resistance. Superficial damage at the waterline of hydraulic structures in fresh water bodies in cold climates is most likely caused by interaction between leaching, frost action and abrasion.

Online publication: 2015
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00