Lasting RCC structures in coastal areas
Neelkanth D. JoshiThe entire coastal belt of the Indian peninsula is considered as an extremely corrosive belt as per the corrosion map prepared by the Corrosion Advisory Bureau, Metal Research Committee,Jamshedpur.Steel and other ferrous metal along the coastline are susceptible to corrosion, which is mainlyinitiated by chloride ions present in the sea salts. It is further sustained by the oxygen present inthe atmosphere, which diffuses through the moisture film to the surface of the metal.Corrosion of reinforcing steel is one of the most important causes of deterioration of concretestructures in coastal environment. High permeability concrete, poor design detailing andconstruction defects such as inadequate depth of cover allow the ingress of salt and moisture intothe concrete. High concentration of salt and moisture result in accelerated corrosion of reinforcingsteel thereby significantly deteriorating the concrete structure.Concrete structures in coastal areas can be divided into two categories based on their exposure:direct and indirect. Direct exposure includes structures that are fully or partially submerged andindirect exposure includes structures that do not come into direct contact with seawater. Buildingsalong the coastline are examples of indirect category of exposure.Concrete structures in coastal areas can be distinguished vis-à-vis corrosion: The submergedzone (under seawater), the splash and tide zone (intermittently wet and dry) and the atmosphericzone (well above the high tide level). Each of the above zones has very different corrosioncharacteristics. Corrosion below the water level is limited by low oxygen availability andconversely lowers chloride and moisture content limit the corrosion rate above high tide level.Corrosion is most severe within the splash and tidal zones where alternate wetting and dryingresult in high chloride and oxygen content. Atmospherically exposed structures (buildings) aresubjected to corrosion from airborne salts and moisture from atmosphere. The quality of theconcrete and the depth of cover play a major role in the ingress of chlorideCorrosion is commonly associated with deposition of sea salt in presence of moisture on steeland light metals. Chloride is the most significant corrosive species in the salt particles. Corrosionis influenced by the amount of salt on the metal surface and related to speed and direction of wind, distance of structure from the shore, elevation of the structures, degree of sheltering andfrequency and amount of rain washing. Other factors that influence corrosion include time of wetness, relative humidity, metal surface temperature etc. Normal steel has poor resistance incoastal atmosphere and hence requires protection for durability.To prevent the penetration of chloride ions a dense, impermeable concrete needs to be produced.This can be achieved by using Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS). When GGBScement hydrates, dicalcium silicate and tricalcium silicate are formed. However, the reaction alsoproduces other secondary hydrates, which effectively fill the cement paste pores. This is becausethere is an excess of reactive alumina and silica in the material. Both these compounds are freeto react with the excess calcium hydroxide, which is present in the pores of cement paste to formfurther calcium silicate and calcium aluminate hydrates. These block the pores and reduce thepermeability of the cement paste. In addition, GGBS cements are able to bind the penetratingchlorides into chloro-aluminates far better than cement pastes containing pure Ordinary PortlandCement or Sulphate Resistant Portland Cement. This reduces the danger of chloride attack stillfurther. Sulphate Resistant Portland Cement has a reduced binding ability because of the lowtricalcium aluminate content. GGBS cement has a slower rate of hydration than Ordinary PortlandCement helps in reducing the permeability of concrete as cracking due to temperature rise isminimised.I.S. 456:2000 recommends use of slag cement and puts a note as follows: "where chloride isencountered along with sulphates in soil or groundwater, Ordinary Portland Cement with C3Acontent from 5 to 8 per cent shall be desirable to be used in concrete, instead of sulphateresisting cement. Alternatively, Portland slag cement conforming to IS 455 having more than 50per cent slag or a blend of Ordinary Portland Cement and slag cement may be used providedsufficient information is available on performance of such blended cements in these conditions."To achieve low permeability, concrete must be dense with a good bond between aggregate and
Leave a Comment