Impact of calcium ions leaching caused by biogenic acid attack on durability of cement composites

Abstract

Leaching of calcium ions increases the porosity of cement-based materials, consequently resulting in a negative effect on durability since it provides an entry for aggressive harmful ions, causing corrosion of concrete. Sulphuric acid corrosion of concrete can be caused due to attack of aggressive media naturally existing in the environment. Another possibility of corrosion formation is biogenic acid effect through the agency of microorganisms. The paper is focused on the investigation of the influence of biogenic acid attack on the cement composites affected with bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The concrete specimens with 95% wt. addition of antimicrobial activated granulated blast furnace slag as durability increasing factor as well as without any addition were studied. The experiments proceeded during the nine 7-day cycles. The pH values and chemical composition of leachates were measured and evaluated after each cycle. The higher resistance of concrete samples with the addition of 95% wt. of antimicrobial activated granulated blast furnace slag to the aggressive environment was confirmed. The leaching of calcium ions of concrete sample affected with bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans was 1.13 times lower (736.6 mg/L of leachate) for concrete sample with antimicrobial activated granulated blast furnace slag addition comparing to concrete sample of ordinary CEM I Portland cement without any additives (832.0 mg/L of leachate).