Chemical corrosion of external stairs – case study

Abstract

On the basis of examinations of the efflorescences formed on the concrete surface, an attempt was made to analyze the sources of concrete corrosion without entering inside the construction. The concrete stairs revealed the symptoms of leaching, as a result of alkali-aggregate reactions developing beneath the surface. As a result of this corrosion process and the carbonation propagating from the concrete surface, the carbonate efflorescences were found. Their phase composition was determined by X-ray diffraction. In order to identify whether the efflorescences were the results of the alkali-silica reaction or alkalicarbonate reaction, the microstructure was investigated using the scanning electron microscope together with energy dispersive spectroscopy.