Behavior of concrete exposed to environment conditions of high chemical deterioration

Abstract

When considering the concrete in hardened state, an important aspect is his durability that depends on the environment exposition or internal causes of the concrete itself. This work, initialized in 1976 by Oshiro and Rocha Argentinean engineers, focus its attention on the first aspect, presenting results from the concrete exposition for more than twenty years in a hostile environment with high sulfate and chloride contents, situated in “Las Salinas Grandes”, Province of Córdoba, in the center of the Argentine Republic. The concrete was elaborated with normal weight aggregate, using normal Portland cement, being highly resistant to sulfates and an air additive incorporator. Some test specimens were modeled with shield simulating a reinforced concrete structure and others without shields. The conditions of expositions varied; some test specimens were deposited on the surface as an emergent structure, and others were buried as foundations. The results spread the experience of a real case, as a contribution for the scientific and technician environment to take decisions when dealing with exposed concrete; it is confirmed the chemical deterioration of the concrete past, and advantages when using low water-concrete and air incorporator relations in the main concrete properties, twenty years time controlled.