Physicaland mechanical behavior of concrete in seawater under high hydrostatic pressure

Abstract

As a part of a durability study of concrete exposed to sea water environment, the paper describes the effect of sea salts on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete under large hydrostatic pressure. Specially designed pressure vessels with temperature control system have been used to simulate the deep sea environmental effects. Accelerated test techniques such as increased salt concentration of curing water, small sized specimens, enhanced environmental temperature have been used. The deteriorative effects are measured by studying visual appearance, weight and volume change, compressive strength, permeability characteristics and X-ray diffraction patterns of concrete specimens exposed to artificial sea water environment over a period of one year. The test results reveal that ambient pressure has accelerated effects on the deterioration of concrete in deep sea water environment.