Title:
Visual Condition Survey of an Underground Tunnel Structure Affected by External Sulfate Attack
Author(s):
Julie Ann Hartell
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
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DOI:
Date:
3/24/2019
Abstract:
Concrete degradation mechanisms are generally related to numerous processes which are undeniably complicated and difficult to assess on-site. Conducting visual condition surveys as the single means of evaluation technique may not precisely determine damage type nor evaluate its extent; but, if conducted thoroughly, it can provide relevant information into potential causes of distress. For this presentation, the results of a visual condition survey of an underground steam tunnel structure are presented. At first glance, signs of corrosion due to carbonation and water infiltration were thought to be the primary cause of noticeable damage. However, after performing an extensive field investigation, various factors including external sulfate attack contributed to the degradation of the tunnel structure.