Damage to Concrete Flatwork from Sulfate Attack
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 9, Issue 4
Abstract
In order to resist sulfate in soil or ground water, concrete must be of high quality, be well consolidated, be as impermeable as possible, and have sulfate-resistant cement. This paper describes the damage to concrete flatwork caused by sulfate attack. Four of six laboratory tests indicated that the silty clay fill supporting the concrete flatwork had a “severe” concentration of soluble sulfate. Expansion of the silty clay fill probably uplifted and cracked the concrete flatwork. Then moisture migrated up through the flatwork cracks and upon evaporation, the salts were deposited on the concrete crack faces. This increased the soluble sulfate concentration causing the concrete paste to literally dissolve away. One method to prevent the concentration of sulfate at flatwork cracks is to provide a capillary break, such as a layer of 2 cm (3/4 in.) open-graded gravel, beneath the concrete flatwork.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 9 • Issue 4 • November 1995
Pages: 302 - 310
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Nov 1, 1995
Published in print: Nov 1995
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