Study of concrete deterioration using X-ray microCT

Aims The processes of degradation of concerte have been an important issue for many years. Better understanding of concrete deterioration gives the possibilities to design a more durable and resistant to damage material, capable of withstanding different surrounding conditions. Concrete destruction due to non-mechanical loading is usually caused by chemical or physical processes. The most dangerous chemical problems include: leaching of the paste components, carbonation of calcium hydroxide and C-S-H, paste deterioration due to exposure to aggressive chemicals such as acids, agricultural, sulfates, corrosion of the steel reinforcement, alkali – aggregate reaction. Usually they are combined with physical phenomena such as abrasion, erosion, cavitation, freezing and thawing cycles. This paper presents an application of X-ray microtomography to identification of the carbonation zone in concrete material.