Thaumasite — background and nature in deterioration of cements, mortars and concretes

Abstract

Thaumasite has been shown to form at low temperatures, particularly 0–5 °C, as a non-binding calcium carbonate silicate sulphate hydrate under conditions of destructive sulphate attack. Formation of thaumasite arises generally from calcium silicate hydrate CSH and Ca 2+, CO 2− 3, SO 2− 3, CO 2 and water, or from ettringite in the presence of CSH, carbonate and/or carbon dioxide and water. It basically resembles a carbonated ettringite, with which it has often been confused in the past. Conversion of the main cementitious binder CSH into the non-binder thaumasite is a destructive form of sulphate attack. Greater awareness of the potential problems that thaumasite can cause has arisen with the increased use of limestone fillers in cements, the common employment of limestone aggregates in concrete and the introduction of Portland limestone cements, together with the realisation that structural foundations of buildings are, on average, below ambient temperature and (more often than not with on- and above-ground construction) are within the optimum temperature range for thaumasite to be formed. Instances have been found in specific studies of large quantities of thaumasite being formed in foundation concretes with no evidence for any structural damage above ground level. It is important to be aware of the propensity of thaumasite to form at low temperatures for mix designs, so as not to encourage any destructive sulphate attack by thaumasite to arise. This means utilising low water cement ratios for workable mortars and concretes, so as to give reduced permeability. This will prevent, or at least suitably hinder, ingress of destructive ions and water, so that the potential for destructive sulphate attack by formation of thaumasite is not actually realised in practice.