Carbonation of concretes in the Mexican Gulf

Carbon dioxide penetration into concrete leads to reinforcing depassivation and onset of the corrosion process. Thus, a deep knowledge on the paramete rs affecting such a process will allow definition of the most suitable mixt ure design to provide adequate durability. Experimental results show the ef fect of an exposed location in a coastal area on the carbonation process of five qualities of concrete. The carbonation depth was checked by spraying phenolphthalein. The results generally showed that the more distance from t he coast, the greater the carbonation rate, The results also showed the gre ater the strength, the lower the carbonation coefficient when specimens are located at 50 m from the seaside. Whereas, in those located at 100 m and 7 80 m, such a trend is unclear for concretes of 28-day compressive strength higher than 22 MPa. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.