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Types of Chemical Attacks on Concrete Structures
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Introduction
When a concrete structure is prone to chemical actions its durability gets
a ected. The chemicals may cause cracking of concrete, volume change
and deterioration of structure. The life of structure reduces and it can lead
to failure of structures. Di erent types of chemical attacks and their e ects
on concrete structures are explained below.

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Types of chemical attacks on concrete structures

Following are the di erent chemical actions on concrete structures

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Sulphate attack

Chloride attack

Alkali aggregate reaction

Carbonation

Acid attack

Sulphate attack on concrete

Most of the soil types contains sulphates in the form of calcium,
magnesium, sodium, ammonium and potassium. They occur in soil or
ground water. When a concrete structure is built on these types of soils,
they may attack the concrete.

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Generally sulphates in solid form do not attack the concrete severely but
when they are in liquid form they pass into the voids of concrete and react
with hydrated cement products. Calcium sulphate causes minimum
damage because of its low solubility while magnesium sulphate causes
maximum damage.

Most of the sulphates attacks calcium hydroxide and hydrated calcium

aluminates present in the concrete and results in changing the volume of
cement paste in concrete. Hence deterioration of concrete structure takes
place. Along with calcium hydroxide, Magnesium sulphate also reacts with
hydrated calcium silicate and makes concrete into powdered mass.

Precautions

Concrete with low water cement ratio is less a ected by magnesium

sulphate while high water cement ratio concrete is highly a ected.

Sulphate-resisting Portland cement should be used where sulphates are

present in the soil, water or atmosphere and come into contact with the
concrete.

Super-sulphated cement, made from blast furnace slag, can also be used
although it is not widely available. This cement can resist the highest 📖 Popular Articles

concentrations of sulphates.
Concrete Mix Design
Ak Calculation for M20, M25, M30
Chloride attack on concrete Concrete with

Chloride attack on concrete is one of the important aspects of durability of Calculate Quantities of
concrete. It primarily a ects the reinforcement of concrete and cause Materials for Concrete -Cement,
Sand, Aggregates
corrosion. Chlorides can be introduced into the concrete either during or
after construction as follows.
Quantity of Cement and Sand
Calculation in Mortar
1. Before construction Chlorides can be admitted in admixtures containing
calcium chloride, through using mixing water contaminated with salt water Preparation of Bar Bending
or improperly washed marine aggregates. Schedule (BBS) and Its
Advantages
2. After construction Chlorides in salt or sea water, in airborne sea spray and
from de-icing salts can attack permeable concrete causing corrosion of Civil Engineering Tips - Points
reinforcement. to Remember for Civil Site

The chloride in the presence of water and oxygen reacts with alkaline
protected layer around the reinforcement and removes it.
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Alkali-Aggregate reaction on concrete
What are the Materials Used for
Alkali aggregate reaction is the chemical reaction between alkali in cement
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and silica content of aggregates. Hence it can also be called as Alkali Silica
reaction. When this reaction takes place, a gel like substance is formed
which absorbs water and volume of concrete will increase. This increasing
volume develops cracking and disintegration of concrete.

BS8110: Part 2, clause 6.2.5.4, states that the Alkali Silica reaction only
occurs when the following are present together:

1. Concrete with high moisture level.

2. When cement contains high alkali content in it.

3. Aggregate with Alkali reactive constituents.

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Precautions

The code recommends that the following precautions be taken if

uncertainty exists:

1. Reduce the Saturation of concrete.

2. Usage of Low alkali Portland cement.

3. Use replacement cementitious materials such as blast furnace slag or

pulverized fuel ash. Most normal aggregates behave satisfactorily.

Carbonation in concrete
When the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere penetrates into concrete
and reacted with calcium hydroxide to form calcium carbonate then this
process is called carbonation.

In general concrete with high alkali content form a protective layer around
the reinforcement. But when the carbon dioxide changes into dilute
carbonic acid it reduces the alkalinity as a result the corrosion of
reinforcement takes place.

Carbonated concrete has a pH value of 8.3 while the passivation of steel

starts at a pH value of 9.5. The depth of Carbonation in good dense concrete
is about 3 mm at an early stage and may increase to 6–10 mm after 30–40
years. Poor concrete may have a depth of Carbonation of 50 mm after say
6–8 years.

The rate of Carbonation depends on

Time

Depth of cover

Concrete density

Cement content

Water-to-cement ratio

The presence of cracks

The depth of carbonation is determined using the solution of

phenolphthalein in diluted alcohol. When the solution is applied the Non –
carbonation zones becomes pink in color and remaining uncolored portion
is termed as carbon a ected zone.

Acid attack on concrete

Acids can attack concrete easily since concrete is not fully resistant against
acids. Some acids like oxalic acid, phosphoric acids are not harmful to the
concrete. Calcareous aggregates are more a ected by acids while siliceous
aggregates are good resistant.

The damage level is purely depends upon the pH of the acid solution.
Damage is very severe if the pH value is very low. If they reach
reinforcement through crack or pores, they will cause corrosion of bars and
cracking of concrete will occur.

Prevention of acid attack

To prevent acid attack good dense concrete with adequate cover is required
and sulphate-resistant cements should be used.

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Sadanandam Anupoju ✓

EDITOR

Sadananda is a Civil Engineer and is an Author, Editor and Partner of The Constructor since
2016.

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2 Comments

Arief Wibowo

Added a comment on July 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm

The knowledge of:

TYPES OF CHEMICAL ATTACKS ON CONCRETE STRUCTURES

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Patricia Dulaney

Added a comment on February 13, 2013 at 6:05 am

We might thought that concretes are very sturdy that no one can break
it unless it's done purposely. Now, after reading this I now know that
those noted above, should be observed so that our concrete ooring and
post will not be destroyed. -http://www.oregononsite.com/

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