Corrosion-proof concrete

Abstract

Salt damage to concrete structures as a result of contact with dry salt, sea water or like salt environments can be avoided in the case of new structures and repaired in the case of damaged structures by applying a layer of slag cement concrete to the structures. The ability of slag cement to absorb chlorides and to delay chloride penetration greatly lengthens the time required to initiate corrosion of the reinforcing irons by the chlorides present and to reduce the effect of chlorides in conjunction with frost. The slag cement-concrete also has a leaching effect on chloride-infected structures and in the case, for example, of an old bridge pier having applied thereto a layer of slag cement-concrete the carbonation front is halted and a new front is formed in the protective layer. The chloride profile extending through the pier is also changed as a result of chloride irons diffusing out from the infected concrete and being neutralized in the protective layer. The slag cement can also be applied to form a salt-frost resistant layer by spray casting techniques, this being difficult to achieve with conventional shotcrete base on other types of cements.

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