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Concrete Spalling
10
COMMON CONCRETE PROBLEMS
TEMPERATURE BASED
Spalling
Weather can also have disastrous eects on the
surface face of concrete. The most common defect
is spalling. Spalling is simply the peeling or loss of
the top nished layer of the concrete. It usually
happens because the upper surface of the concrete
froze before enough crystals grew to give this layer
strength of at least 500 psi.
Popouts
Popouts are another common surface defect. A
popout is created when a piece of aggregate (rock)
in the upper surface of the concrete explodes as a
result of freezing. Some pieces of aggregate have a
tendency to absorb water. This water freezes, ex-
pands and eventually causes a ny explosion. Gravel
companies go to great lengths to try to remove this
type of rock from the gravel – but they don’t always
catch every piece.
Concrete Admixtures
Concreng business thrives during the warm
months. And to concrete specialists, it’s clear as to
why. Concrete takes higher temperatures to cure
quickly and properly, but the other side of the equa-
on has to do with the admixtures that are neces-
sary for concrete construcon. Chemical admixtures
don’t do well in cold temperatures either, and if you
face the winter months with a surplus of admixtures,
you’ll need to know how to store them properly.
When it comes to storing admixtures for the winter
months, keeping the materials at warmer tempera-
tures may or may not be a problem for your busi-
ness. Perhaps you have a heated warehouse where
you can keep them in drums and barrels. However,
when and if your admixtures end up outside, you’re
going to need to safeguard them against the cold.
Some admixtures can be applied at the plant before
the cement truck leaves, but others are added on-
site, immediately before applicaon. In this second
scenario, protecng your admixtures becomes
increasingly crucial, especially during cold weather
concreng operaons.
Along with all the cold-weather pracces you need
to following during and aer the pouring of con-
crete, you also need to keep your admixtures at the
proper temperature to ensure they react properly.
Such material is best stored in containers kept at an
even temperature via drum/barrel heaters.
OTHER CONCRETE PROBLEMS
Waste
While concrete is biodegradable, the process to
make it leads to the byproduct of many waste
materials, such as carbon dioxide. Civil+Structural
Engineer Magazine reports that “acquiring the raw
materials to produce concrete, such as cement,
aggregates, and water, can also have a signicant
environmental impact. Many organizaons and
experts are working on innovaons and regulaons
that make the producon and use of this versale
material more ecient, as it becomes a signicant
contributor to sustainable development and con-
strucon.”