Abstract:
Carbonation of Carbon is of concern for reinforced concrete bridges. While long-term environmental deterioration of structures is unavoidable, protective design allows a structure to fulfill its service life without any significant serviceability or strength loss due to deterioration. Understanding the process of concrete carbonation and the effect it has on structural performance allows for the proper design of concrete protection. The tests performed in this project determine in-situ carbonation depths of bridge core specimens retrieved from highway and interstate bridges in Oregon that were constructed in the mid-twentieth century. Further, the development of an accelerated carbonation camber provides a controlled environment to determine an approximate carbonation rates. Combining field exposure with controlled laboratory results, carbonation can be better characterized in terms of climate, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, time, and concrete properties.
