Title: A novel method to predict concrete carbonation.

Author(s): Paulo Roberto Do Lago Helene & Pedro Castro Borges

Publication: IMCYC

Volume: 1

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 25-35

Keywords: Carbonation-C; Corrosion-C; Durability-C; Concrete-E; Mixture Proportion

DOI:

Date: 7/1/2009

Abstract:
Although the causes, mechanisms, and factors which promote concrete carbonation have been widely studied, factors that come into play during concrete fabrication such as mix proportioning combinations - a critical factor influencing the rate of carbonation - have not been properly researched or modeled. The present work involved the fabrication of concrete samples with different slumps, cement contents, and water/cement ratios which were subjected to tests of accelerated carbonation. As reported in previous studies, the water/cement ratio had the greatest influence on concrete carbonation rates. Cement content did not influence the carbonation rate when the water/cement ratio was kept constant; however, if the workability was fixed, an increase in cement content led to a reduction in carbonation depth. By conducting this experiment, the main objective of the present study was to demonstrate how a mix design nomogram, aside from being a powerful tool for the practitioner, can serve to predict and reduce the degree of concrete carbonation by identifying the most appropriate mixture parameters.