Abstract
Site investigations of several concrete and masonry structures in Gothenburg, Sweden, revealed carbonation to have affected a number of concrete structures. At times, synergistic freeze-thaw action was found to have accelerated the deterioration process. Some of the masonry structures have developed internal and external efflorescence (the latter much more severe) in the form of alkali sulphate salts. The mechanisms involved in these processes and the influence of microclimatic conditions are discussed. The products formed that were mainly investigated by microstructural techniques (SEM with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis) are also described.
Resume
L’étude sur site de plusieurs bétons et structures de maçonnerie à Gothenburg en Suède, a révélé qu’un certain nombre de structures en béton ont été affectées par une carbonatation. Le processus de détérioration a été accéléré par le phénomène de gel-dégel. Certaines structures de maçonnerie ont développé une efflorescence interne et externe (cette dernière est plus accentuée) sous forme de sulfates alcalins.
Les mécanismes développés dans ce processus, l’influence des conditions microclimatiques et les produits formés ont été étudiés par des techniques microstructurales (MEB/EDAX, DRX). L’effet de cette détérioration sur la durabilité de ces structures a aussi été évalué.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mehta, P. K., ‘Durability of concrete in marine environment—a review’, in ‘Performance of Concrete in Marine Environment’, ACI SP-65, edited by V. M. Malhotra (American Concret Institute, 1980) pp. 1–19.
Collepardi, M., ‘Degradation and restoration of masonry walls of historical buildings’,Mater. Struct. 23 (1990) 81–102.
Idorn, G. M., ‘Durability of concrete structures in Denmark’, PhD thesis, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen (1967).
Sarkar, S. L., Aitcin, P. C. and Lamothe, P., ‘Concrete deterioration in three bridges in the Sherbrooke area’, in Proceeding of 2nd CANMET/ACI International Conference on Durability of Concrete, Montreal, 1991, Supplementary Volume, pp. 219–234.
Regourd, M., ‘Physico-chemical studies of cement pastes, mortars and concretes exposed to sea water’, in ‘Performance of Concrete in Marien Environment’, ACI SP-65, edited by V. M. Malhotra (American Concrete Institute, 1980) pp. 63–82.
Hime, W. and Erlin, B., ‘Some chemical and physical aspects of phenomena associated with chloride-induced corrosion’ in ‘Corrosion, Concrete and Chlorides’, ACI SP-102, edited by F. W. Gibson (American Concrete Institute, 1987) pp. 1–12.
Grattan-Bellew, P. E. (Ed.), ‘Concrete Alkali-Aggregate Reactions (Noyes, New Jersey, 1987).
Larsen, E. S. and Nielsen, C. B., ‘Decay of bricks due to salt’,Mater. Struct. 23 (1990) 16–25.
Ludwig, U. and Meher, S., ‘Destruction of historical buildings by the formation of ettringite or thaumasite’, in Proceedings of 8th International Symposium on the Chemistry of Cement, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 5 (1986) pp. 1–8.
Charola, A. E., ‘Chemical-physical factors in stone deterioration’,Durabil. Buildg Mater. 5 (1988) 313–316.
Mehta, P. K. ‘Concrete Structure, Properties and Materials’ (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1986) pp. 135–136.
Biczok, I., ‘Concrete Corrosion and Concrete Protection’ (Chemical Publishing, New York, 1967) p. 291.
Goodbrake, C. J., ‘Reaction of beta dicalcium silicate and tricalcium silicate with carbon dioxide and water’, PhD thesis, University of Illinois (1978).
Teller, E. J. and Wray, J. L., ‘Factors influencing the artificial precipitaton of calcium carbonate’,Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer.,65 (1954) 1329–1330.
Ragsdale, L. A. and Raynham, E. A., ‘Building Materials Technology’, (Arnold, Bungay, 1972) pp. 102–154.
Mehta, P. K., ‘Mechanism of sulphate attack on Portland cement concrete’,Cement Concr. Res. 13(3) (1983) 401–406.
Regourd, M., Kerisel, J., Deletie, P. and Haguenauer, B., ‘Microstructure of mortars from three Egyptian pyramids’,Cement Concr. Res. 18 (1988) 81–90.
Chatterjee, S. and Jensen, A. D., ‘Efflorescence and breakdown of building materials’,Nordic Concr. Res. No. 8 (1989) 56–61.
Arnold, A., ‘Behaviour of some soluble salts in stone deterioration’, in Proceedings of 2nd International Symposium on the Deterioration of Building Stone, Athens, 1976, pp. 27–36.
Knöfel, D. K., Hoffman, D. and Nethlage, R., ‘Physicochemical weathering reactions as a formulatory for time-lapsing ageing tests’,Mater. Struct. 20 (1987) 127–145.
Perander, T. and Nieminen, T., ‘Neue Theorien der Ziegelverwittering’, in ‘Werkstoffwissenschaften und Bausanierung, edited by F. H. Wittman (Technische Akademie Esslingen, 1983) pp. 367–371.
Baden, B., Bacella, G. and Marchesini, L., ‘Surface reactivity of marble and stone’, in ‘The Conservation of Stone’, edited by I. Bologna and R. Rossi-Manaresi (Centro per la Conservazione delli Sculture all’Aperto, Venice, 1976) pp. 89–101.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sarkar, S.L., Chandra, S. & Rodhe, M. Microstructural investigation of natural deterioration of building materials in Gothenburg, Sweden. Materials and Structures 25, 429–436 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472260
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472260