Compatibility between flooring materials and concrete

Abstract

This article outlines an experimental and numerical study on compatibility between flooring materials and concrete. Full-scale cylinders and slabs with different kinds of floorings were tested. The cylinders were studied in the laboratory, and cured in the same way as at a building site. The slabs were ground, treated with plaster and/or untreated (reference concrete). These slabs were water-cured and/or air-cured. Analyses were carried out on the volatile organic compounds from the flooring systems at the Swedish Testing and Research Institute, SP, Boras, on the alkali profile at Scancem Research Ltd., Slite and on the moisture conditions of the concrete at Lund University, Lund. The results show the influences of a layer of plaster, of porosity, of the type PVC carpet and of the type of adhesive on the measured volatile organic compounds. Moisture content,i.e., relative humidity, carbonation depth and alkalicontent, of the concrete had a minor effect on the measured volatile organic compounds.