Application of petrographic image analysis for the assessment of chemical attack in the concrete segments of a tunnel

Document Type : Research Note

Authors

1 Concrete Technology and Durability Research Center (CTDRc), Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The current paper discusses the petrographic image analysis performed on core specimens that are extracted from a tunnel in the south west of Iran. During tunnel excavation, damages were observed in the inner sections of concrete segments. Due to field observations of damaged segments, environmental parameters and tunnel location, several damage scenarios were proposed. In order to assess damage mechanisms, 69 cores were extracted and a number of standard tests were carried out. Since chemical attacks alter microscopic properties of materials, petrographic image analysis was performed on five of the specimens to evaluate possible microscopic changes in concrete composition. The results show that petrographic image analysis is an efficient method to provide a profound insight into the effects of chemical attacks on concrete members.

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Main Subjects

References

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Scientia Iranica
Volume 27, Issue 3
Transactions on Civil Engineering (A)
May and June 2020
Pages 1187-1195

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 July 2016
  • Revise Date: 29 July 2018
  • Accept Date: 29 July 2018

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