‘Mundic’-type problems: a building material catastrophe

Abstract During the period ad 1900–1950, readily-available mining spoils, specifically mundic and killas rocks, were used as aggregates in concrete in order to keep building costs low. Unfortunately this choice of materials, especially in Cornwall and Devon, had led subsequently to the occurrence of many structural faults. Consequently the affected buildings have experienced significant losses in financial value and some have even had to be demolished because they were unsafe. The deleterious process in the concrete ensues as a reaction with water: thus one of the primary means to try to reduce its severity is to maintain the concrete in a dry condition.