CHEMICAL ATTACK ON CONCRETE

In recent years, we have made great strides in increasing our understanding of the behavior of cement and concrete. However, chemical durability remains a great problem. As the industry moves toward continued changes to the portland cement binder system by incorporating more and different types of fillers, supplementary cementitious materials, and admixtures, it is not clear that we can still make reasonable estimates of the long term durability of these concretes. It is also not certain that our current suite of durability tests are even capable of providing reasonable estimates of long term performance with these new concrete formulations. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that virtually all durability test methods involve relatively small, virgin specimens. In practice, of course, chemical attack occurs on structural elements in service under load, which tends to accelerate the deterioration processes. Additionally, our standardized exposure regimes are generally designed to simulate only a single detrimental environment, while in situ concrete is often exposed to multiple deterioration mechanisms acting simultaneously.

The aim of Anna Maria Workshop XVIII is to encourage us to re-examine the state-of-the-art and the state-of-the-practice with respect to chemical attack on concrete, re-evaluate our test methods, and discuss new ones. While the focus will be on the major destructive agents (e.g., chlorides, sulfates, seawater, industrial wastes), presentations will be welcomed on all aspects of chemical attack.

The purpose of the Anna Maria Workshop series is to bring together people from the different sectors involved (engineers, educators, researchers, specifiers, material producers) to discuss important technical issues. The primary goal is to provide input on future directions in both research and practice.

Anna Maria Workshop XII Organizing Committee:

Andrew J. Boyd - McGill University, Chair
Christopher Ferraro - University of Florida
Sidney Mindess - University of British Columbia
Jan Olek - Purdue University
Ken Rear - KBR Inc.