Concrete corrosion in an Austrian sewer system

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

This study comprises the application of a multi proxy approach, where a strongly deteriorated Austrian sewer system was intensively investigated. Understanding the underlying reaction mechanisms leading to the deterioration by microbial induced sulfuric acid attack on concrete structures is highly complex and often not fully understood. The aim of this study is to contribute to a deeper understanding by introducing a novel approach that comprises a range of mineralogical methods, as well as hydro-geochemical analyses, analyses of gases, hydro-geochemical modelling, and microbiological analyses. Results revealed an extremely fast propagating Microbial Induced Concrete Corrosion (MICC), with corrosion rates of up to 1 cm/y. Expressed pore fluids contained sulfate concentrations of up to 104 g/l at low pH of between 0.7 and 3.1. Sulfuric acid produced triggered the dissolution of the cementitious matrix and the carbonatic additives, as well as massive formations of gypsum, anhydrite and bassanite. Microprobe analyses revealed sequences of element distributions within the corrosion fronts, controlled by the suggested pH gradient of 13 to

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 4th International Conference on Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting, ICCRRR 2015
PublisherCRC Press/Balkema
Pages5
Number of pages1
ISBN (Print)9781138028432
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event4th International Conference on Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting, ICCRRR 2015 - Leipzig, Germany
Duration: 5 Oct 20157 Oct 2015

Conference

Conference4th International Conference on Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting, ICCRRR 2015
Abbreviated titleICCRRR 2015
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityLeipzig
Period5/10/157/10/15

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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