SULFATE ATTACK OF ABOVE GROUND COMPONENTS OF HIGHWAYS

Traditionally engineers have considered sulfate attack on concrete structures as a “below ground” problem. However, investigation work, undertaken by Consulting Engineers Parsons Brinckerhoff, has amassed considerable evidence of sulfate attack on the above ground components of concrete structures. The paper will review the findings of the research project with respect to the prevalence of attack, its extent, and the identification of structures at risk. Improvements in the identification of sulfate attack are discussed and the performance of sulfate resisting cements and blended cements reviewed. Relevant reviews will be presented from the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States that demonstrate that sulfate attack of above ground components of highway structures is more widespread than previously thought, sometimes as a result of lack of diagnosis or mis-diagnosis.

• INTRODUCTION

• SULFATE ATTACK

• PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECT

• MECHANISMS

• STRUCTURES AT RISK

• RESULTS FROM SITE INVESTIGATIONS

• CONCLUSIONS

• REFERENCES