Study on Degradation Mechanism of Concrete due to Carbonation

Abstract

Concrete is construction material made of cement, fine aggregates (sand) and coarse aggregates
mixed with water which hardens with time. Portland cement is widely used for production of
concrete. Concrete degradation may occur in various stages like damaged by fire, aggregate
expansion, sea water effects and chemical damage (from carbonation). Carbon dioxide from
air reacts with calcium hydroxide in concrete to form calcium carbonate, this process is called
carbonation.
In this experiment, investigation was carried out to study the degradation mechanism of concrete
due to carbonation with respect to compressive strength of concrete, depth of carbonation by
using phenolphthalein indicator and crystalline size by X-RD analysis. In this investigation, the
specimens are of concrete grade M35 with water cement ratio of 0.45. In the proposed study
the specimen will be subjected for micro-structural analysis (SEM) to identify the crystalline
structure of calcium carbonate.