Sulfate corrosion of Portland cement concretes

The paper offers an advanced scientific and practical understanding of the sulfate corrosion affecting Portland cement concretes and examines its most important and relevant aspects: external and internal sulfate corrosion, thaumasite and delayed ettringite formation; prevention of sulfate corrosion and test methods to check the resistance of Portland cement compositions to the effects of sulfates. Also the paper presents basic information about the physical and chemical processes occurring at the early stages of Portland cement hydration with the involvement of aluminum-containing clinker phases and gypsum needed to understand the mechanisms of sulfate corrosion.

Author: A.S. Brykov

Section: Concrete

Keywords: sulphate attack, Portland cement concrete, ettringite, thaumasite, gypsum