Assessment of the aggressive agents' penetration into concrete by non-destructive techniques

Abstract

Purpose

Around the world, many structures are affected by pathological reactions between the concrete and the surrounding environment in which these structures are designed, these pathologies lead to compromise their serviceability. In this context, this paper aims to study the durability of concrete in different environments with non-destructive techniques, by studying its contamination by the aggressive agents’ penetration. And this, by evaluation of the influence of the durability indicator that is the absorption by immersion, on the mechanical properties (compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and damage), of specimens having undergone immersion/drying cycles, in different aggressive media (water, seawater and acids: sulfuric and acetic with a concentration of 5%).

Design/methodology/approach

Concrete specimens were manufactured in the laboratory, and then underwent immersion/drying cycles, in parallel, the weight gain of the specimens was carried out in the wet state after immersion and in the dry state after drying, and the ultrasonic speeds were also taken in a dry state. The results showed a decrease in the mechanical properties studied, namely, the compressive strength as well as the elastic properties (modulus of elasticity, damage) as a function of the increase in absorption, and that the weakest properties are those of test specimens submerged in water.

Findings

Non-destructive tests have shown that the parameters examined increase with the immersion/drying cycles, up to the fourth cycle. Beyond that, they drop gradually, and this is valid for four environments. This decline is due to the degradation of cement pastes exposed to water, seawater and acid attacks. This is explained by the greater or lesser dissolution of all the major elements making up the cementitious matrix (CSH, Ca(OH)2, CaO, SiO2, C3S, C2S, C3A, C2S) depending on the nature and concentration of the chemical substances evacuated. The results showed that the highest absorption rate and damage are those recorded for the specimen immersed in water, followed by that of the specimens immersed in acids, followed by that of the specimen immersed in sea water. The highest compressive strength and stiffness are those of the specimen immersed in sea water, followed by that immersed in acids, then in water.

Originality/value

The work developed aimed to study the durability of concrete, by addressing the study of the coupling absorption – mechanical characteristics of concrete, in different aggressive media (water, seawater and acids), to seek a relationship between these parameters. The tests provided are non-destructive tests, which consist of taking measures that do not damage the concrete. They allow indirect measurements of the mechanical properties of concrete as well as the monitoring of their evolution over time. They also allow having certain accuracy, because the measurements are taken at the same place.

Citation

Khial, N. and Chaid, R. (2022), "Assessment of the aggressive agents' penetration into concrete by non-destructive techniques", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 19 No. 5, pp. 735-742. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-03-2021-0165