Causes of Concrete Deterioration in
Maryland | Virginia | Rockville | Bethesda
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Two Forms of Concrete Deterioration
Concrete deterioration occurs in two forms, often simultaneously.
The clearest form of deterioration applies to the concrete itself.
The less obvious type of deterioration involves the breakdown of the underlying steel matrix.
Let’s go over the causes of each kind of deterioration in more detail.
Causes of Concrete Deterioration
- Carbon Dioxide
- Chlorides
- Water
- Freezing and Thawing
- Shock Heating
- Overloading
Concrete Deterioration: Causes Detailed
Carbon Dioxide:
Believe it or not, carbon dioxide in the air we breathe can cause the deterioration of concrete. It can make its way through the porous concrete and cause real problems.
The steel matrix embedded in reinforced concrete actually depends on the alkalinity of the concrete itself for protection from corrosion.
Calcium hydroxide in the concrete mix is responsible for the required alkalinity, but it is compromised when carbon dioxide is allowed to react with it. The reaction is capable of decreasing the pH to an undesirable level, exposing the steel for corrosion.
Chlorides:
When allowed to deeply penetrate the concrete, chlorides can present a serious problem for the lifespan of a structure.
Chlorides are one of the most common causes of concrete deterioration due to the use of deicing salts which contain chloride, chloride contaminated water used in the mixing process, high concentration of chlorides in desert as well as coastal regions, and sometimes sea water.
If chloride makes its way through the surface and to the steel via pores, it can lead to the breakdown of the layer of the steel which is responsible for protection from corrosion.
Water:
Water, regardless of temperature, can be the cause of cathodic corrosion when it is able to interact directly with embedded steel.
When water is able to react with oxygen to form hydroxyl ions in the vicinity of the steel matrix, corrosion proceeds.
Freezing and Thawing:
Other than cathodic corrosion, water is also one of the causes of concrete deterioration due to its expansive and contractive properties related to freezing and thawing.
For horizontal surfaces, where standing water is allowed to collect, freezing and thawing will gradually make the concrete more permeable which further exposes the reinforcement (to carbon dioxide, chlorides, and water). When water makes its way into small holes and then freezes, the expansion damages the surrounding concrete and widens the holes over time.
The same potential for damage applies to water which has found its way into cracks as well.
Shock Heating:
Fire or lightning can threaten the integrity of concrete very rapidly, and here is why.
When the surface is exposed to the extreme heat of fire or lightning, the outer layer expands due to the temperature increase. The inner layer remains at a much cooler temperature and the outer layer can break away if the difference between temperatures breaks threshold.
The reverse process is also a possibility when the sprinklers, or rain from a storm, cool the outer surface too quickly and cause it to break away.
Lightning is a bit more complex since concrete will conduct electricity. The electricity prefers the embedded steel so if there are any discontinuations, the voltage will dissipate in a heat explosion. Temperature differentials will negatively impact the concrete structure in a similar manner to that described above.
Overloading:
When a load exceeds the limit and the steel structure starts to bend, you can expect concrete cracks and imperfections on your concrete in turn.
It is much better to play it safe than sorry for safety and financial reasons, so stay aware of the limits for your structure.
Contact Us to Restore Concrete Tomorrow!
Seeking resolve for your concrete deterioration problem in Maryland or Northern Virginia?
With decades of experience, Concrete Restoration is the leading concrete services contractor in VA, DC, and MD when it comes to repair, restoration, resurfacing, and waterproofing.
To schedule an appointment or ask questions, dial us today at 301-261-4933 or click here to fill out our online contact form.
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