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Frequently Asked Questions
Cement & Concrete
Technology Home > FAQs > Can water
cause deterioration of concrete?
Q: Can water cause deterioration of concrete?
A: Generally, the combination of water
and favorable temperatures increases the strength of concrete throughout
its life cycle. However, water also can act as the transport system
for nearly all mechanisms aggressive to concrete. Some examples
are:
- Porous, water-saturated concrete that does not have adequate
strength and entrained air is prone to scaling, which is a deterioration
mechanism caused by freezing of water in concrete
- Water can carry aggressive chemicals into the concrete surface
such as acids, sulfates, or chlorides
- Concrete that contains alkali-reactive aggregates is subject
to deleterious expansion from water
- Water that passes over the surface of concrete with a high velocity
can erode the surface over time
Exposure to water is typically beneficial to concrete, but there
are circumstances in which it can also contribute to the deterioration
of concrete. Service environment conditions are key in determining
whether water will have beneficial or deleterious effects.
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