Experimental research on salt contamination procedures and methods for assessment of the salt distribution


Date

2021-09-06

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

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Data

Abstract

The RILEM TC ASC-271 is developing a new laboratory test to assess the durability of porous building materials to salt crystallisation. The test encompasses two phases: salt accumulation and damage propagation. This paper focuses on designing a procedure for the accumulation phase; this is considered successful when salts crystallise at the material's evaporative surface (common situation observed on site) without the occurrence of damage. Two procedures were developed and tested on two limestones with different porosity: (1) capillary absorption of a salt solution followed by drying, and (2) continuous capillary absorption. Sodium chloride or sodium sulphate solutions were used. Several methods for assessing the salt distribution were employed: ultrasonic pulse velocity, drilling/scratching resistance, hygroscopic moisture content, ion chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, and micro X-ray fluorescence. The results enabled the selection of the most effective protocol for the salt accumulation phase.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

298

Pages / Article No.

123862

Publisher

Elsevier

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Salt crystallisation test; Porous materials; Salt accumulation; Salt distribution

Organisational unit

03891 - Flatt, Robert J. / Flatt, Robert J. check_circle

Notes

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