Effect of Simulated Acid Rain on Deterioration of Concrete

Abstract

In the study the long-term exposure tests to simulated acid rain were performed in order to clarify the effect of acid rain on deterioration of concrete. Mortar specimens with 40 mm in width, 15 mm in thickness and 160 mm in length were used for the tests. At each time after the fixed rainfall was attained, those were tested physically and analyzed chemically. Finally total rainfall of 9000mm was given to the specimens. From the test results, it was confirmed that the eroded depth of the specimen has a good linear relation to the total rainfall under simulated acid rain with various pH. Surface erosion rates of the mortar specimens with an ordinary mix proportion under simulated acid rains with pH 3.0 and 2.5 were about 1.2 and three times larger than that under pH 5.6, respectively. It was also confirmed that flexural strength of the specimens with an ordinary mix proportion hardly changed under low pH simulated acid rain even after total rainfall of 9000mm was given.