EFFECTS OF SEA WATER ON CONCRETE

Concrete exposed to sea water is wetted by a solution of salts--principally sodium chloride and magnesium sulfate. Damage to concrete, if it occurs, usually results from failure to use good practices in concrete construction, and often is the result of freezing and thawing or wetting and drying as much as or more than the results of the effects of sea water as such. Magnesium sulfate may attack most, if not all, of the constituents of hardened portland cement paste, especially the aluminate constituent; chlorides may promote corrosion of steel; and alkalies may participate in alkali- aggregate reaction. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station

  3909 Halls Ferry Road
  Vicksburg, MS  United States  39180-6199
• Authors:
  • Mather, B
• Publication Date: 1964-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 20 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete structures; Defects; Structures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Structural damage
• Old TRIS Terms: Concrete inspection
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Materials; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00034388
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: AEWES-Misc-Pap 6-690
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 15 1973 12:00AM