OPENING

Chemical effects on concrete- where concrete has been attacked

by chemicals, the nature of attack and chemicals need to be
identified.
Measures are taken to reduce their effects
Some of the evaluations in this process are


CHLORIDE CONTENT
The main deicer is NaCl
This effects concrete in two
forms; degradation of concrete,
corrosion of embedded steel

1)Attack of deicers
EVALUATION
The tests for this chemical effect
are rapid chloride penetration
test and, Standard Test Method
for Scaling Resistance of Concrete
Surfaces Exposed to Deicing
Chemicals.

DETECTION
The degree of change in color of
the tip is proportional to the
chloride content.

2) INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY
Capable of detecting
delaminating
Sensitive detection of
temperature difference is the
main principle
Also detects water leakages,
moisture blocks, carbonation
depth.

3) QUANTAB TEST
Measures the chloride content in
concrete
A solution of 5 gm of powdered
concrete is prepare first
It is then tested for extent of
chloride content in chlorimeter

Carbonation of concrete occurs when the carbon dioxide, in
the atmosphere in the presence of moisture, reacts with
hydrated cement minerals to produce carbonates, e.g.
calcium carbonate.
Acid base indicators
Petro graphic analysis
X-rays
Infrared thermography
ACID BASE INDICATORS
Phenolphthalein solution is
sprayed on freshly exposed
concrete surface.

Pink colour indicates highly
alkaline good concrete, while
no change in colour indicates
the carbonated portion.
PETRO-GRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Petrography is a term known
from geology meaning, "the
systematic characterization of
rocks in hand specimen and
thin section".
The hardened sample of
concrete is cut, ground and
polished. The polished
surface is then examined with
a microscope.
Fully carbonated paste in the concrete surface.
Carbonated paste appears orange-brown in
crossed polarized light.
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
X-ray fluorescence is the emission of
characteristic X-rays from a material that has
been excited by bombarding with high-energy
X-rays.
Under radiation, the sample will emit
characteristic X-ray intensities depending on
characteristics of the beam, powder particle
size distribution, degree of compaction, and the compounds in
the matrix.
In most concrete, aggregates are more or less
chemically inert. However, some aggregates react
with the alkali hydroxides in concrete, causing
expansion and cracking over a period of many
years.
This alkali-aggregate reaction has two forms
alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and alkali-carbonate
reaction (ACR).



ALKALI SILICA REACTION
Alkali-silica reaction (ASR): is of more
concern because aggregates containing
reactive silica materials are more common.
In ASR, aggregates containing certain forms
of silica will react with alkali hydroxide in
concrete to form a gel that swells as it
adsorbs water from the surrounding cement
paste or the environment.
These gels can swell and induce enough
expansive pressure to damage concrete
Reactive fine aggregate
particle with alkali-silica gel
filled air voids as viewed in
thin section.
ALKALI SILICA REACTION.
ALKALI SILICA REACTION
PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
The best technique for the identification of ASR is the
examination of concrete in thin section, using a petrographic
microscope.
Alternatively, polished sections of concrete can be examined by
scanning electron microscopy (SEM);
this has the advantage that the gel can be analysed using X-ray
microanalysis in order to confirm the identification
CONTD..
Alkali Silica Reactions (ASR)
Concrete thin-section, viewed with a petrographic microscope, showing a
aggregate particle (at the right of the image) from which alkali-silica gel has
extruded into adjacent cracks.
ALKALI CARBONATE REACTION
Alkali-carbonate reactions (ACR) observed with certain dolomitic
rocks.
Dedolomitization, the breaking down of dolomite, is normally
associated with expansion.
This reaction and subsequent crystallization of brucite may
cause considerable expansion.
The deterioration caused by ACR is similar to that caused by
ASR.


UAF METHOD
The current method for identifying ASR gel uses ultraviolet
fluorescence to image the distribution of a uranyl acetate stain
that has a high affinity for the silica gel.
A suitable source of ultraviolet light is used.
Apply uranyl acetate solution to newly exposed surface of
concrete.
Allow the solution to react for 3-5 minutes with anyreactive silica
gel that may be present on the surface.
CONTD..
Position the sample under the UV
light and observe through the
viewer
Record the presence of any
yellowish-green fluorescence
indicating the presence of silica
gel.