Sulphate attack

- Deterioration of concrete due exposed to soluble sulphate salts

- Chemical reaction between So4 and hydrated cement products

Sources

- Soils, groundwater, sea water, industrial chemicals waste & fertilisers.

Damages caused

- Degradation of concrete because of chemical reactions between hydrated Portland cement and
sulfate ions from an outside source is known to take two forms that are distinctly different from
each other. Which one of the deterioration processes is predominant in a given case depends on
the concentration and source of sulfate ions (i.e., the associated cation) in the contact water,
and composition of the cement paste in concrete.
- Sulfate attack can manifest in the form of expansion and cracking of concrete. When concrete
cracks, its permeability increases, and the aggressive water penetrates more easily into the
interior, thus accelerating the process of deterioration. Sometimes the expansion of concrete
may cause serious structural problems, such as the displacement of building walls due to
horizontal thrust by an expanding slab.
- Sulfate attack can also take the form of a progressive decrease in the strength and loss of mass
due to loss of cohesiveness of the cement hydrated products.
- Concrete which has been attacked has a whitish appearance; damage usually starts at edges &
corners, followed by progressive cracking & spalling, eventually leading to complete breakdown.
This stage normally takes several years in the field

Types of sulphate attack

Factors Influencing Sulphate Attack Factors Affecting Corrosion Activity

Sulphate concentration Oxygen supply

Solubility of sulphates permeability of concrete cover

Groundwater mobility saturation level (70–80%)

Concrete permeability Relative humidity

Wetting & drying cycles Temperature

Evaporation
T I corr
Degree of carbonation prior to exposure

Composition of cement
Factors Influencing Carbonation

Diffusivity
Factors Influencing Acid Attack
Reserve alkalinity
Concrete permeability
Environmental CO 2 concentration
pH
Exposure condition
Solubility of reaction products

Flow rate of acid product

Contributing Factors to Cl - Ingress
Cementitious system
Chloride diffusivity
Aggregate type
Sorptivity
Temperature
Ability of concrete to bind chlorides

Carbonation
Factors Affecting Frost Resistance
Degree of exposure to chloride source
Permeability
Temperature
Degree of saturation
Hydrostatic head (if applicable)
Amount of freezable water

Rate of freezing

Number of cycles more significant than

absolute lowest temperature!

Avg. max. distance from any point to a free

surface where ice can form safely

Tensile strength