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The alkali–silica reaction (ASR), also commonly known as concrete cancer, [3] is a deleterious internal swelling reaction that occurs over time in concrete between the highly alkaline cement paste and the reactive amorphous (i.e., non-crystalline) silica found in many common aggregates, given sufficient moisture.
A fairly well-defined reaction front can often be observed in thin sections; ahead of the front the concrete is normal, or near normal. Behind the reaction front, the composition and the microstructure of concrete are modified. These changes may vary in type or severity but commonly include: Extensive cracking; Expansion
Carbonatation is a slow process that occurs in concrete where lime (CaO, or Ca(OH) 2 ) in the cement reacts with carbon dioxide (CO 2) from the air and forms calcium carbonate. The water in the pores of Portland cement concrete is normally alkaline with a pH in the range of 12.5 to 13.5.
In very old concrete where the calcium hydroxide has been leached from the leachate seepage path, the chemistry may revert to that similar to "speleothem" chemistry in limestone cave. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] This is where carbon dioxide enriched rain or seepage water forms a weak carbonic acid , which leaches calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) from within the ...
Conversely, the addition of acid converts weak acid anions to CO 2 and continuous addition of strong acids can cause the alkalinity to become less than zero. [12] For example, the following reactions take place during the addition of acid to a typical seawater solution: B(OH) − 4 + H + → B(OH) 3 + H 2 O OH − + H + → H 2 O PO 3− 4 + 2 ...
The most common use for portland cement is in the production of concrete. [17] Concrete is a composite material consisting of aggregate (gravel and sand), cement, and water. As a construction material, concrete can be cast in almost any shape desired, and once hardened, can become a structural (load bearing) element.
Concrete is the most widely used material in existence and is behind only water as the planet's most-consumed resource. [ 2 ] Cements used in construction are usually inorganic , often lime - or calcium silicate -based, and are either hydraulic or less commonly non-hydraulic , depending on the ability of the cement to set in the presence of ...
The fundamental unit within a geopolymer structure is a tetrahedral complex consisting of silicon or aluminum coordinated through covalent bonds to four oxygens. The geopolymer framework results from the cross-linking between these tetrahedra, which leads to a 3-dimensional aluminosilicate network, where the negative charge associated with tetrahedral aluminium is balanced by a small cationic ...