Identification of concrete deteriorating minerals by polarizing and scanning electron microscopy

Journal Article · Wed Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2009.01.018· OSTI ID:22082777

Gregerova, Miroslava ^[1]; Vsiansky, Dalibor ^[2]

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1. Masaryk University in Brno, Faculty of Science, Institute of Geological Sciences, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno (Czech Republic)
2. Research Institute of Building Materials, JSC., Hnevkovskeho 65, 617 00 Brno (Czech Republic)

The deterioration of concrete represents one of the most serious problems of civil engineering worldwide. Besides other processes, deterioration of concrete consists of sulfate attack and carbonation. Sulfate attack results in the formation of gypsum, ettringite and thaumasite in hardened concrete. Products of sulfate attack may cause a loss of material strength and a risk of collapse of the concrete constructions. The authors focused especially on the microscopical research of sulfate attack. Concrete samples were taken from the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. A succession of degrading mineral formation was suggested. Microscope methods represent a new approach to solving the deterioration problems. They enable evaluation of the state of concrete constructions and in cooperation with hydro-geochemistry, mathematics and statistics permit prediction of the durability of a structure. Considering the number of concrete constructions and their age, research of concrete deterioration has an increasing importance. The results obtained can also be useful for future construction, because they identify the risk factors associated with formation of minerals known to degrade structures.

• OSTI ID: 22082777
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Journal Name: Materials Characterization Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 60; ISSN 1044-5803; ISSN MACHEX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
42 ENGINEERING
BRIDGES
CIVIL ENGINEERING
CONCRETES
CZECH REPUBLIC
EVALUATION
GYPSUM
HAZARDS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SULFATES