Study of Carbonation-depth Prediction of Unsaturated Concrete Considering Carbonation-produced Water

Carbon dioxide can react with alkaline carbonate substances in cement-based materials, which harms the durability of concrete structure. The carbonation reaction is a process releasing water, resulting an increase pore water saturation, was always neglected by previous studies. In this paper, transient saturation equation proposed and introduced into classical kinetic model, simulated finite-element software typical ordinary Portland cement. model verified two empirical equations for carbonation-depth prediction. simulation results indicated that increment originated carbonation-produced will weaken CO2 diffusivity enhance resistance. Besides, growth rate depth slightly faster without considering produced higher initial difference be more significant. If influence ignored, predicted unsaturated may less accurate. This study provide some reference theoretical experimental studies on carbonation. However, future work still needed including realistic effects such as mesoscale modeling integration stress states. KEYWORDS: Ordinary concrete, Carbonization reaction, Carbon-dioxide transport, Finite-element method, Pore saturation.