Effect of Acetic Acid on Compressive Strength and Geometric Texture of the Surface of C20/25 Class Concrete

Abstract

Concrete is a highly alkaline material; therefore, the presence of organic acids (acetic, butyric, lactic) from agricultural sewage constitutes a threat to the concrete and the environment. The investigations were aimed at simulating the influence of highly concentrated organic acids on concrete elements of livestock buildings. Cubic samples 100 × 100 × 100 mm of the ordinary concrete were immersed in 10% acetic acid for 270 days. Then, the compressive strength and mass decrement of the samples were determined as well as using SEM images and a 3D-profilograph to profile the surface roughness and depth of changes evoked in the structure of the samples by penetrating acid. The results were compared with those for a control sample (not subjected to the effects of aggressive agents) as well as for samples placed in a neutral and alkaline environment. The compressive strength of the samples stored in the acidic environment was 22.23% lower than that of the control sample, whereas the compressive strength of those samples stored in an alkaline environment were 44.27% higher. Conclusions from these investigations can be of innovative importance in the preparation of environmental impact reports, which are necessary for obtaining permission for the construction and use of livestock buildings, and afterward in the reduction of the impact of these buildings on the environment and surface and underground water resources.

Effect of sewage on compressive strength and geometric texture of the surface of concrete elements

“…The mean value of compressive strength of samples seasoned in neutral and alkaline environment (in the wastewater of the post‐grit chamber and the wastewater of the activated sludge chamber) after 270 days decreased by 7.6 and 9.5% (post‐grit chamber) and 3 and 10% (activated sludge chamber), respectively. Similar results of decrease in compressive strength with decrease in pH were obtained in works 24,36,37 …”

“…Similar results of decrease in compressive strength with decrease in pH were obtained in works. 24,36,37 If the compressive strength of concrete specimens immersed in an acidic environment shows a slight decrease in mass with a concomitant decrease in density (Figures 4-6), this may be due to the crystallization of hardly soluble salts in the process of sulfate corrosion, which is also confirmed by the results of studies published in the work of Zivica and Bajza. 38,39 Highly expansive crystals of hydrated calcium sulphoaluminate (ettringite) may be formed in the process of sulfate corrosion, in which chemical reactions take place between the active components of concrete and sulfate ions.…”

“…The paper is an introduction to determining the speed of degradation of the concrete structure (measured as compressive strength and surface roughness) as a result of contact with municipal sewage. The evaluation of surface geometry will include measures of linear and surface roughness, which are rarely used, 22,23 but seem to be a good parameter for estimating the aggressiveness of, for example, acetic acid 24 to the concrete surface. Such determination and evaluation of surface roughness parameters are standardized by international ISO standards.…”

Thermodynamic Modeling and Experimental Validation of Acetic Acid Attack on Hardened Cement Paste: Effect of Silica Fume

“…The solids investigated in this study via XRF represent a similar state as the XRD pattern after ‘161 h, ground’ in Figure 9 a, whereas XRD patterns in other studies [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] investigated bulk samples, which are more comparable to the example after ‘161 h, washed, ground’ in this figure.…”

“…The main link between chemistry and transport is mostly (over) simplified by using an (apparent) diffusion coefficient that should consider the changes in porosity [ 11 ]. Typically, the acidic acid attack on cement-based materials is investigated by using large samples such as cylinders or cubes [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Therefore, the changes in chemical composition and structural and mechanical properties can be studied.…”