Dissolution of No‐Fines Concrete Slab due to Soft‐Water Attack
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 5, Issue 4
Abstract
A case history is presented of a no‐fines concrete subgrade slab through which soft waters had been percolating for several years. The slab was intended to act as a drainage layer, but elements of the drainage system became blocked due to calcium‐based deposits after a relatively short period in service. The paper presents the results of water and solid‐deposit analyses that were carried out, and discusses the mechanism of deposition and blockage of the drainage system. The rates of dissolution of the slab and the potential for continued blockage of the drainage pipes are also examined. Remedial measures based on these assessments were adopted. The case serves as a useful example of the importance of proper understanding of materials technology in civil engineering construction.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Addis, B. J., Ed. (1986). Fulton's concrete technology. Portland Cement Inst., Midrand, South Africa.
2.
Alexander, M. G., Addis, B. J., and Basson, J. J. (1992). “Case studies using a novel method to assess aggressiveness of waters to concrete.” ACI Mater. J., 1993.
3.
Basson, J. J. (1989). Deterioration of concrete in aggressive waters—measuring aggressiveness and taking countermeasures. Portland Cement Inst., Midrand, South Africa.
4.
Basson, J. J., and Addis, B. J. (1992). “An holistic approach to the corrosion of concrete in aqueous environments using indices of aggressiveness.” Proc. American Concrete Institute Idorn Symp. on Durability of Concrete, American Concr. Inst. (ACI), Detroit, Mich., 33–65.
5.
“Concrete in sulphate‐bearing soils and groundwaters.” (1975). BRE Digest No. 250, Bldg. Res. Establishment, London, U.K.
6.
Czernin, W. (1980). Cement chemistry and physics for civil engineers. Foreign Publication Ltd., New York, N.Y.
7.
Eglinton, M. S. (1987). Concrete and its chemical behavior. Thomas Telford, London, U.K.
8.
Harrison, W. H. (1987). “Durability of concrete in acidic soils and waters.” Concr., 21(2), 18–24.
9.
Langelier, W. F. (1936). “The analytical control of anti‐corrosion water treatment.” J. Am. Water Works Assoc., 28, 1500.
10.
Loewenthal, R. E., Wiechers, H. N. S., and Marais, G. V. R. (1986). Softening and stabilisation of municipal waters. Water Res. Commission, Pretoria, South Africa.
11.
Muller, J. (1977). “Deterioration of portland cement concrete in natural waters.” Concrete Society of Southern Africa Conf. on Concrete in Aggressive Environments, Concrete Society of Southern Africa, Midrand, South Africa.
12.
Parsons, W. A. (1965). Chemical treatment of sewage and industrial wastes. Nat. Lime Association, Washington, D.C.
13.
Pretorius, P. C., Alexander, M. G. and Ballim, Y. (1989). “Concrete durability in industrial environments.” Concrete Society of Southern African Nat. Convention, Concrete Society of Southern Africa, Midrand, South Africa.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 5 • Issue 4 • November 1993
Pages: 427 - 435
Copyright
Copyright © 1993 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 19, 1992
Published online: Nov 1, 1993
Published in print: Nov 1993
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.