Investigation of the Precipitates on the Concrete Surface due to Sulphate Exposure

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the durability of cement-based materials subjected to the effects of sulphuric acid in terms of surface deterioration. Damaged concrete surfaces and the samples’ mass changes were studied during 270-day simulation of both chemical and biological attacks. Chemical corrosion was simulated by sulphuric acid with pH of 3.0 and 4.0, respectively, while biological corrosion was simulated by activity of bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. XRD and SEM analyses confirmed a massive sulphate precipitate formation on the concrete surface due to chemical and biological sulphate corrosion.

Keywords

• concrete
• precipitates
• deterioration