Visible Corrosion Damage in Carbonated Reinforced Concrete

This study discusses visible corrosion damage due to carbonation in concrete balconies and facades. The focus of the study was to find out how the age of the structure, cover depth of concrete, carbonation coefficient, capillarity of concrete and the climate affect visible corrosion damage. The research data consist of condition investigation reports of existing concrete balconies and facades built between 1948 and 1996.

Balcony slabs and brushed painted facades were the most prone to visible corrosion damage. None of the researched panels met the required minimum cover depth of reinforcement even at the time of construction. However, most of the visible damage on the database was localized damage and there was not much visible corrosion damage. The carbonation coefficient of balconies was higher than the carbonation coefficient of facades. Brushed painted facade panels had clearly higher carbonation coefficient than other facade panels. The carbonation coefficient was considerably lower on white concrete panels compared to other panel types.

When capillarity of concrete raises, the carbonation rate of concrete increases slightly. However, no correlation can be seen. The capillarity of concrete and the carbonation rate of concrete had a major range.