Title:
Seawater in the Mixture
Author(s):
Adam Neville
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
23
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
48-51
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
1/1/2001
Abstract:
Seawater should not be used in concrete mixtures because it could contribute to the corrosion of steel reinforcements and inserts. In addition to that which is deliberately added, seawater may enter the mixture via sea-dredged aggregate or unwashed aggregate from the seashore. Surprisingly, some recent studies seem to suggest that seawater is an appropriate mixing water, even though seawater tends to cause both persistent dampness of the surface of concrete and efflorescence. The presence of chlorides in seawater, particularly sodium chloride, increases the risk of alkali-aggregate reaction. Although the use of seawater can lead to extensive corrosion of reinforced concrete structures, it is misleading to ignore other factors that contribute to concrete deterioration, such as microclimate, air current eddies, solar radiation, aeration, and frequency and duration of wetting. If fresh water is unavailable for curing at an early age, membrane curing should be used as an alternative.