ACCELERATED CARBONATION OF A BLAST-FURNACE CEMENT CONCRETE

By means of an accelerated test using an atmosphere containing 10 % CO2, the evolution of some parameters of concrete caused by the carbonation processes at different levels of relative humidity is studied. In the first place, the carbonation depth is measured and it is related to the results of short term and long term reference carbonation tests using an atmosphere containing 0.03 % CO2. An extrapolation between the two tests can be made. The short time test reveals a carbonation depth that can be compared with the one reached after about two years in a normal atmosphere. Measurements of the compressive strength, a water absorption test and a permeability test after the exposure of the samples lead to surprising observations. The accelerated carbonation of a shortly cured blast-furnace cement concrete does not seem to improve its durability.