Durability of high-strength concrete in ammonium sulfate solution

This paper considers the ammonium sulfate attack of hi,gh-strength concrete (grade 100). An accelerated attack consisting in wetting-drying cycles was adopted throughout this study. Compressive strength, mass loss, and length variations were measured before and after sulfate attack. The microstructu re was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). No swelling was observed after six cycles of degradation and the chemical attack was limite d to a superficial zone of 5 nim thick. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.