Analysis of historic (80+) concrete structure exposed to weathering
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14311/Keywords:
Historical concrete structures, Structure moisture, Chemical leachates, Remediation of concrete structuresAbstract
The aim of the study was to analyze historic concrete structures from the 1930s and then to analyze the failures caused by water action on the structures. As part of the study, long-term moisture measurements were taken on a selected structure along with boundary conditions (temperature and relative humidity). By taking measurements at multiple locations on the structure using depth brush probes, it was confirmed that massive historic concrete structures exposed to external boundary conditions contain relatively high amounts of water (typically around 4%). This is mainly due to the large voids and porosity of the old concrete structure. The action of water in historic concrete structures leads to chemical reactions. Their products are chemical leachates which penetrate the surface of the structure. The analysis revealed that calcium is the dominant element, with measured values ranging from 92.42 % to 95.32 %. Although the structure studied is located in an agricultural area subjected to fertilization, the nitrate content was measured at only 0.031 %. Microscopic analysis confirmed potential calcium compounds recrystallization, which could jeopardize the durability of the remediation. This factor should therefore be carefully considered in the remediation design. Samples of historic concrete were produced according to the original 1930s recipe. These samples were subjected to diffusion permeability measurements. The average diffusion coefficient D = 8,4.10-9 (m2/s) was measured. Such diffusion permeability corresponds to poor quality concrete, even for the newly formed samples. Thus, the structure had these properties at the time of construction 80 years ago and subsequent degradation has had little effect.
Received: 8.2.2025
Received in revised form: 24.7.2025
Accepted: 30.8.2025
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