Assessment of causes and consequences of concrete deterioration and its remediation

Abstract

Superiority of concreteis subject to many factors such as quality of cement, water, aggregates, its curing condition, moisture content and so on. These parameters not only abolish the concrete strength in spite of thatminimize the durability of concrete prepared from ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Causes of concrete deterioration are typically concern its strength, durability and aesthetic properties. However, factors such as design, material limitations, construction practices and exposure to aggressive environmental conditions are accountable to damage and deteriorate the structural and functional properties of concrete. The defects are mainly due to exposure of concrete in different physical, chemical and biological environments which have adverse effects due to scaling on concrete, temperature variation, volume expansion, changes in pH of concrete, carbonation and chloride ion penetration, sulfate and acid attack, alkali-aggregate reactions and microbial-induced corrosion. Remediation of these shortcomings is achievable by integration of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as rice husk, fly ash, ash, cow dung, silica fume, GGBS, saw dust, ground limestone and so on. Along with SCMs, incorporation of 2% of nanoparticles (SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, Fe2O3, CaCO3, ZrO2etc.) by replacing the weight of the cement has been optimized to achieve the maximum significant properties in concrete structures, which is discussed in details. Among all SCMs, fly ash modified concrete have superior durability properties. Altogether, this review paper aimed to explain the causes and consequences of concrete deterioration and it adapt innovative measures to expand concrete life.