Prediction of the carbonation depth of concrete with a mortar finish

Abstract

It is well known that carbonation will result corrosion of steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures. To reduce the rate of carbonation, the surface coatings, such as mortar finish, has been used widely to concrete. This paper presents a numerical procedure about carbonation of the coating-concrete system. This numerical procedure starts with a multi-component hydration model. By hydration model which considers both and Portland cement and pozzolanic reaction, the amount of hydration products which are susceptible to carbonate as well as porosity is obtained as function of age. Furthermore, the diffusivity of CO2 is determined and carbonation depth of concrete is predicted. Parameter studies are performed to show the influence of composition and application time of mortar finish on carbonation depth of substrate concrete.