Investigation of the concrete foundation of the old living hut built in 1969 at Syowa Station, Antarctic

Abstract

Concrete specimens taken from the pier of the concrete foundation of the old living hut built in 1969 at Syowa Station, Antarctica, were brought back to Japan for investigation of deterioration conditions. This concrete was made by mixing alumina cement brought from Japan with gravel, sand, and water removed from melted snow, all taken from the surface ground of East Ongul Island on which Syowa Station is located, and by placing and shaping it into permanent form. The pier concrete is examined by composition analysis, compressive strength test and neutralization depth measurement of the cored sample. Transformation of the hydration products of alumina cement, from CAH10 to C3AH6 and AH3, was found to be completed. The maximum neutralization depth was found to be 26 mm. In addition, the compressive strength decreased by 22% from the time of construction as judged from a specimen at construction time. Based on these observations, deterioration of the concrete is in progress, but not to the extent that either its strength or durability is a problem with regard to serviceability.