Sulfate resistance and carbonation of fly ash concrete

Abstract EN

Durability is a major concern for concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments.

Many environmental phenomena are known to significantly influence the durability of reinforced concrete structures.

Carbonation and sulfate attack are considered as the major factors to cause concrete structures deterioration.

Concrete gradually deteriorates with time and finally loses its strength when it is exposed to the sulfate-bearing water from the surroundings.

Carbonation is the process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere reacts with water in concrete pores to form carbonic acid and then reacts with alkalis in the pores, neutralizing them.

This can then lead to the corrosion of the reinforcing steel.

It has been suggested that carbonation and sulfate resistance of concrete can be effectively improved by a partial replacement of Portland cement by fly ash.

This paper presents some results of an experimental study on sulfate resistance and carbonation of concrete containing fly ash cement.

The obtained results are compared with those of a control concrete made with ordinary Portland cement.