Title: Can We Determine the Age of Cracks by Measuring Carbonation? Part 1

Author(s): Adam Neville

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 25

Issue: 12

Appears on pages(s): 76-79

Keywords: Phenolphthalein; pH; cracking

DOI:

Date: 12/1/2003

Abstract:
Then, early this year, a major investigation was conducted whose objective was to demonstrate that certain cracks had been caused by a recent earthquake. Cores of cracked concrete were taken and the cracks were dated by measurement of the depth of carbonation at right angles to the crack surface. The question was asked: how reliable was the dating? This prompted me to look at all the aspects of the method, with a view to answering the question in the title of my article.