Concrete in Aggressive Environment

Concrete in Aggressive
Environment

Syllabus
• Concrete in Aggressive Environment: Alkali –
Aggregate Reaction, Sulphate Attack, Chloride
Attack, Acid Attack, Effect of Sea Water,
special coating for Water Proofing, Sulphate
Chloride and Acid attack, Concrete for hot
liquids.

Introduction
• The general environment to which concrete will be exposed
during its life is classified to five levels of severity, namely,
mild, moderate, severe, very severe and extensive as
described. In table
• The destruction action of aggressive waters on concrete is
progressive. The rate of deterioration decreases as the
concrete is made stronger and more impermeable, and
increase as the salt content of the water increases.
• Whereas structures are only partially increased or in contact
with aggressive soils or waters on one side only,
evaporation may cause serious concentration of salts with
subsequent deterioration even where the original salt
content of the soil or water is high.

Environmental Exposure Conditions

Introduction
• At sites where alkali concentration are high or may become
very high, the ground water should be lowered by drainage
so that it will not come in direct contact with the concrete
• We may discuss following aggressive environments for
concrete
• Alkali- Aggregate Reaction
• Sulphate Attack
• Chloride Attack
• Acid Attack
• Effect of Sea Water
• Effect of De-icing Salts
• Efflorescence
• Resistance of Concrete to Fire

Alkali-Aggregate Reaction
• Normally, aggregates used in concrete are considered as inert material, but
some of the aggregates contain reactive type of silica, which reacts with
alkalis present in cement i.e. sodium oxide (Na2 O) and potassium oxide
(K2O). As a result, the alkali silicate gels of unlimited swelling type are
formed. This reaction is known as ‘ Alkali Aggregate Reaction’.
• The type of rocks which contain reactive constituents include traps,
andesite, rhyolites, siliceous limestone and certain types of sand stones.
The reactive constituents may be in the form of opals, cherts, volcanic,
glass, zeolite, chalcedony etc.
• The alkali silica gel formed by alkali aggregate reaction is confined by the
surrounding cement paste and internal pressure is developing leading to
expansion, cracking, and disruption of cement paste. This expansion
appears to be due to hydraulic pressure generated through osmosis, but can
also be due to swelling pressure of the still solid products of alkali silica
reaction. This indicates that the swelling of hard aggregates is most harmful
to concrete. The reactivity of aggregates depends upon its particle size and
porosity as these influences the area over which the reaction can take place.

• Factors promoting the alkali aggregate
reaction:
• Reactive type of aggregates.
• High alkali content in cement.
• Optimum Temperature
• Availability of moisture
• Fineness of Cement Particles.

• As mentioned earlier certain types of rocks like traps, andesite,
rhyolites, siliceous lime stone and certain types of stones contain
reactive constituents.
• The aggregate derived from such rocks are reactive and may
promote the alkali aggregate reaction.
• The high alkali contain in cement is also an important factor
contributing to the alkali aggregate reaction. To prevent the
deterioration of concrete due to alkali aggregate reaction alkali
content in cement should not exceed 0.6 percent.
• The ideal temperature for the promotion of alkali aggregate reaction
is in the range of 10 0C to 38 0 C. if the temperature is below 10 0 C
or more than 38 0 C, it may not provide an ideal situation for the
alkali aggregate reaction.

Measures to control alkali aggregate
Reaction
• Selection of non-reactive type of aggregates
• By restricting alkali content in cement below 0.6
%
• By controlling temperature
• By controlling moisture condition
• By the use of corrective admixtures such as
pozzolanas
• By controlling the void space in concrete.
• By not using very fine ground cement.

Sulphate Attack
• The sulphates of Calcium, Sodium, potassium and magnesium are present
in most soils, and ground water. Agricultural soil and water contains
ammonium sulphate, from the use of fertilizers or from sewage and
industrial effluents. Water used in concrete cooling towers can also be a
potential source of sulphate attack. In marshy land decay of organic matters
leads to the formation of H2S, which is converted into sulphuric acid by
bacteria.
• Solid salts do not attack concrete, but when present in solution they can
react with hardened cement paste. In the hardened concrete, sulphates react
with the free calcium hydroxide [ Ca(OH)2] to form gypsum (Calcium
Sulphate). Similarly, sulphates reacts with calcium aluminium hydrate (C-
A-H) to form calcium sulphoaluminate, the volume of which is
approximately 117 % of the volume of original aluminates. The produce of
the reactions, gypsum and calcium sulphoaluminate have a considerable
greater volume than the compounds they replace, so that the reactions with
the sulphates lead to expansion and disruption of the concrete. Of all the
sulphates magnesium sulphate causes maximum damage to concrete. A
characteristic whitish appearance in the indication of sulphate attack.

Sulphate Attack
• In addition to the concentration of the sulphate, the speed with
which concrete is attacked also influence the rate of sulphate
attack. When concrete is exposed to the pressure of sulphate
bearing water on one side, the rate of attack will be highest.
• Sulphate attack is greatly accelerated if accompanied by
alternate wetting and drying, which normally takes place in
marine structures in the zone of tidal variations. On the other
hand if the concrete is completely buried, without a channel
for the ground-water, condition will be less severe.

Methods for Controlling Sulphate
Attack
• Use of sulphate resisting cement
• Addition of Pozzolana
• Quality of concrete
• Use of air-entrainment
• High pressure steam curing
• Use of high-alumina cement
• Liming of Polyethylene sheet

Chloride Attack
• Chloride in Concrete:
• Due to high alkalinity of concrete protective oxide film is formed on
the surface of steel reinforcement. This protective layer can be lost
to carbonation and presence of chloride in the concrete. The action
of chloride in inducing corrosion of reinforcement is more serious
than any other reasons.
• Chloride enters the concrete from cement, water, admixtures and
aggregate. When there is chloride in concrete, there is an risk of
corrosion of embedded metal. The higher the chloride content, the
greater the risk of corrosion all constituents may contain chloride
and concrete may be contaminated by chlorides from external
environment. To minimize the chances of deterioration of concrete
from harmful chemical salts, the level of such salts in concrete
coming from cement, water aggregate and admixtures should be
limited.

Acid Attack
• Concrete is used for the storage of many kinds of liquids, some of
which are harmful to concrete. In Industrial plants, concrete floor
come in contact with acids, which damage the floor.
• In damp condition SO2 and CO2 and other acid fumes present in the
atmosphere affect concrete by dissolving and removing part of the
set concrete, This form of attack occurs in chimneys and steam
railway tunnels. In fact, no Portland cement is acid resistant.
• Acid attack is encountered also under industrial conditions. Concrete
is also attacked by water containing free CO2. Flowing pure water
formed by melting ice or by condensation and containing little CO2,
also dissolves Ca(OH)2 thus causes deterioration of concrete.
• In practice, acid attack occurs at value of pH below about 6.5. But
the attack is severe only at pH below 5.5. At a pH value below 4.5,
the attack is very severe. Under acid attack, cement compounds are
eventually broken down and leached away. If the acids or salts are
able to reach the reinforcing steel through cracks or porosity of
concrete, corrosion of reinforcement take place.

Sea Water
• Sea water contains sulphates and hence attacks concrete in a
manner similar to the sulphate attack.
• The deterioration of concrete in sea water is often is not
characterized by the expansion, as found in concrete
exposed to sulphate attack. Attack of sea water causes
errosion or loss of constituents of concrete without undue
expansion. Calcium Hydroxide and Calcium Sulphate
(gypsum) are considerable soluble in sea water, and this will
increase the leaching action.
• Incase of reinforced concrete the absorption of salt results in
corrosion of reinforcement. The accumulation of the
corrosion product on the steel, causes rupture of the
surrounding concrete. So that effect of sea water is more
severe on reinforced concrete than on plain concrete.

Steps to Improve Durability of
Concrete in Sea Water
• The use of pozzolana or slag cement is advantageous
under such condition.
• Slag, broken brick bat, soft limestone, or other porous or
weak aggregate shall not be used.
• As far as possible, preference shall be given to precast
members, plastering should be avoided
• Sufficient cover to reinforcement, preferable 75 mm shall
be provided
• Care should be taken to protect reinforcement from
exposure to saline atmosphere during storage, fabrication
and use. It may be achieved by treating the surface of
reinforcement with cement wash or by suitable methods.

Effect of De-icing Salts
• When salts like sodium chloride or calcium chloride are used for de-icing roads in
cold climatic conditions, some of these salts becomes absorbed by the upper layer
of the concrete. This produces a high osmotic pressure with a consequent
movement of water towards the coldest zone where freezing takes place. Deicing
salts increases the severity of the freezing and thawing cycles.
• The salts normally used are NaCl and CaCl2 and their repeated application with
intervening periods of freezing or drying results in surface scaling of concrete.
Sometimes urea is also used to remove ice; it is less deleterious and less effective in
removing ice. Ammonium salts even in small concentration, are very harmful and
should not be used. When concrete is exposed to relative low concentrations of salts
(2 to 4 % solution) greatest damage occurs and the action is believed to be physical
in nature and not chemical.
• When de-icing agents are applied to concrete of few week age, damage would be
severe. To protect such concrete boiled linseed oil, diluted in equal parts with
kerosene or mineral spirits, are applied to the surface of concrete which must be
dry, in two coats. The layer of oil slows down the ingress of the de-icer solution.
• Use of de-icer also enhance the corrosion of steel. The de-icer melts the snow or
ice, which is often ponded by adjacent ice. As more ice melts, the melt water
becomes diluted until its freezing point rises to near the freezing point of water.
Freezing then takes place. De-icers increases the number of cycles of freezing and
thawing and promote corrosion of steel

Efflorescence
• The water leaking through cracks, faulty joints or through the area of poorly
compacted porous concrete dissolve some Ca (OH) 2 compound by leaching.
After evaporation, white deposit of calcium carbonate are left on the surface of
concrete. These deposits are termed as efflorescence.
• The occurrence of efflorescence is greater when cool, wet weather is followed
by a dry and hot spell.
• When Concrete is porous near the surface, the chances of efflorescence are
increased.
• Unwashed seashore aggregates, gypsum, and alkaline aggregate also causes
efflorescence.
• It mars the appearance of concrete.
• Type of formwork, degree of compaction and water/cement ratio also affects
the efflorescence.
• Early efflorescence can be removed with a brush and water. Heavy deposits of
salts may require acid treatment of the surface of the concrete. HCl is used for
this purpose, the concrete surface should be washed after acid treatment.

Resistance of Concrete to Fire
• Concrete has good resistance to fire. The period of time under fire
during which concrete continues to perform satisfactorily is
relatively high and no toxic fumes are emitted. The length of time
over which the structural concrete preserves structural action is
known as fire rating. Here it is suffices to mention that sustained
exposure to temperature in excess of about 35 0C under conditions
such that a considerable loss of moisture from concrete is allowed
leads to a decrease in strength and modulus of elasticity of concrete.
• The fire resistance of concrete structure is determined by three
factors namely
• (1) The capacity of the concrete to withstand heat and subsequent
action of water without losing strength.
• (2) Concrete should not crack or spall
• (3) Conductivity of the concrete to heat and coefficient of thermal
expansion of concrete.

• The thickness of concrete cover to reinforcement is very important in
reinforced cement concrete. The fire introduces high temperature gradients
and as a result the hot surface layers tend to separate and spall from cooler
interior parts. The formation of cracks is encouraged at joints in poorly
compacted parts of the concrete. The heating of reinforcement aggravate
the expansion both laterally and longitudinally of the reinforcement bars
resulting in loss of bond strength and cracking of concrete.
• The strength of concrete is not much affected below of 250 0C. But above
about 300 0 C a definite loss of strength takes place. If high temperature is
of short duration, a slow recovery of strength may take place. At low
temperature, the strength of concrete is higher than that at room
temperature.
• The loss in strength at higher temperature is greater in saturated concrete
than in dry concrete. The strength of mass cured concrete beyond the age of
14 days is unaffected by temperature within the range of 20 0C to 96 0C.
This behavior is probably due to an absence of a change in moisture
content. Excessive moisture at the time of fire causes spalling of concrete.

• In concrete aggregate undergo a progressive expansion on heating,
while the hydrated product of the set cement, beyond the expansion,
shrinks. This opposite action weakens and crack the concrete.
Siliceous aggregates containing quartz, granite and sand stone
expands steadily unto 573 0 C at this temperature, it undergoes a
sudden expansion of 0.85 % Aggregates containing quarth as the
predominant mineral, has the least fire resisting property. Amongst
the igneous rocks, basalts and dolerites has the best fire resistance.
• Concrete made of siliceous or limestone aggregate show a change in
color with temperature. The change in color is permanent, so that the
maximum temperature during a fire can be estimated a posteriori
thus the residual strength can be approximately judged.. Generally
concrete whose color has changed beyond pink is suspect and
concrete past the grey stage is probably friable and porous.

Special Coating for Water Proofing
• Specially made slurry coating can be used for the water proofing of
concrete, brick masonry and cement bound surfaces. Slurry coating
of specially processed hydraulic setting powder component and a
liquid polymer component. These two materials when mixed in a
specied manner forms a brushable slurry. Two or three coats of this
slurry when applied on roof surface or on any other vertical surface
in basement, water tank or sunken portion of W.C. and bathrooms,
etc. form a long lasting waterproofing coat. This coating needs to
cure for a week or so.
• The coating so formed is elastic and abrasion resistant to some
extent. To make it long lasting it may be protected by mortar
screening or tiles.
• The tradename of such coating are
• Dichtament D.S
• Brush bond by Fosroc Coy.
• Xypex, etc.

• The material described above is not very elastic.
Its performance in sunken portion of bathroom
and such other areas where the concrete is not
subjected variation in temperature will be good.
But, on roof slab, due to thermal movement of
concrete, it may not perform well.
• The modified version of the above has been made
to give a better waterproofing and abrasion
resistance to the treatment. The modified version
will make the coating tough and more elastic and
better water proofing.

• The application of modified coating are,
• Terrace gardens
• Parking places
• Basements
• Sanitary areas
• Swimming pools.
• This coating also give protection to chloride, sulphates and
carbonation attack on bridge, and also to protect underground
structures.
• Before applying the above coat of water proofing the surface should
be made damp and not wet . It can be applied by brush or trowel in
two coats to achieve a thickness of 2 to 4 mm. A gap of about 3- 4
hours are given between successive coats.

Questions
• List the situations where concrete is subjected to
aggressive environment
• Explain alkali-aggregate reaction. What are the
factors promoting it and how it can be controlled?
• Write a short note on Sulphate Attack.
• Write a short note on Acid Attack
• What are the effects of de-icing on concrete?
• Describe resistance of concrete to fire.

References
• Concrete Technology by: R.P. Rethaliya
• Concrete Technology by . M.S. Shetty
• Internet websites

Concrete in Aggressive Environment

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