Causes Of Concrete Deterioration

concrete-deterioration

Two Forms of Concrete Deterioration

Concrete deterioration occurs in two forms, often simultaneously.

  1. Deterioration of the concrete itself
  2. Anodic or cathodic breakdown of the underlying steel matrix

Let’s go over the causes of each kind of deterioration in more detail.

Types of Concrete Deterioration Causes

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Chlorides
  • Water
  • Freezing and Thawing
  • Shock Heating
  • Overloading

Two Forms of Concrete Deterioration
1st is Carbon Dioxide

Believe it or not, carbon dioxide in the air we breathe can cause the deterioration of concrete. It can make its way through the porous concrete and cause real problems.
The steel matrix embedded in reinforced concrete actually depends on the alkalinity of the concrete itself for protection from corrosion.

Calcium hydroxide in the concrete mix is responsible for the required alkalinity, but it is compromised when carbon dioxide is allowed to react with it. The reaction is capable of decreasing the pH to an undesirable level, exposing the steel for corrosion.

Chlorides:

When allowed to deeply penetrate concrete, chlorides can present a serious problem for the lifespan of a structure.

Chlorides are one of the most common causes of concrete deterioration. They can be found in:

  • Deicing salts
  • Chloride contaminated water used in the mixing process
  • Deserts, coastal regions, and even seawater

If chloride makes its way through the surface and to the steel, it can lead to the breakdown of the layer of the steel, which is responsible for protection from corrosion.

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Two Forms of Concrete Deterioration
2nd is Water

Water:

Water, regardless of temperature, can cause cathodic corrosion if it is able to interact directly with embedded steel.

When water is able to react with oxygen to form hydroxyl ions in the vicinity of the steel matrix, corrosion proceeds.

Freezing and Thawing:

Water can also cause of concrete deterioration with its expansive and contractive properties related to freezing and thawing.

For horizontal surfaces, where standing water is allowed to collect, freezing and thawing will gradually make the concrete more permeable, which further exposes the reinforcement to carbon dioxide, chlorides, and water. When water makes its way into small holes and then freezes, the expansion damages the surrounding concrete and widens the holes over time.

The same potential for damage applies to water which has found its way into cracks.

 

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