Performance of Concrete Exposed to Corrosive Environment

Abstract

A comprehensive programme to investigate the behaviour of portland cement concrete exposed to corrosive environment was chalked out in this short duration study.The programme composed of compressive strength study, weight loss study , effect of carbonation, pH test study and study of ultrasonic pulse velocity test. Investigation to study the performance of portland cement concrete of M20 strength exposed to corrosive environment ( 5% H2SO4 Solution, 5% HC 1 Solution, 10% (NH4SO4 Solution and 10% NaOH Sol- ution ) revealed that the concrete cube deteriorated more in acidic environment than alkaline environment. The stre-ngth of PCC exposed to aggressive medium reduced signif- icantly after exposure of 28 days. This reduction in strength was mainly due to expansive salt formation . The formation of expansive salt also resulted in loss of cem-entitious properties and loss of weight. The concrete exposed to H2SO4 solution was found least durable . This study also shows that higher the ultrasonic pulse velocity lower is the corrosion . This paper presents an approach of investigation along with analysis of test results of PCC exposed to corrosive environment.