THE NATURE OF CONCRETE AND ITS DURABILITY PERFORMANCE IN AN INLAND ENVIRONMENT – A LITERATURE REVIEW
Alhassan, Yunusa Aminu & Ibrahim A. Danjuma
Department of Civil Engineering
Federal Polytechnic Idah, Nigeria
Email: alhassanay@gmail.com
Corresponding author: Alhassan, Yunusa Aminu
ABSTRACT
The process of reinforcement corrosion in concrete is partially controlled by the transport of ions through the concrete microstructure and its chemical composition. The rate of advance of aggressive agents in concrete depends on the permeability of the concrete and the quantity of the hydroxides, which are, in turn, controlled by the characteristics of the concrete making material and its processing, for example curing and compaction. This paper examines the nature of concrete and its influence on the durability performance and service life of reinforced concrete structures in an inland environment. Even though other types of degradation affect concrete in an inland environment, attention is focused on the effects of carbonation. The nature of concrete as its affect it’s physical and chemical properties and its consequences on the carbonation thus durability performance and service life of reinforced concrete structures are illustrated. Mechanism of carbonation in concrete are also described. Keywords: Concrete; Carbonation; Durability performance; Service life; Degradation
