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Week 4: further reading ‐
foundations in aggressive ground
conditions
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Piling, concreting
and foundations in aggressive grounds conditions
Performance of concrete elements in aggressive
ground and groundwater
Aggressive grounds give rise to:
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Piling, concreting
and foundations in difficult and aggressive grounds
Constituents of cements
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Variations
Calcium aluminate of Ettringite
and
gypsum
Resulting in
+ SRC are Largely of
a low content in
calcium
Specification of aluminates
Calcium Sulfate Resisting
hydroxide Portland Cements
(SRPC)
Cement and its make up
(chemical constituents)
Hydraulic cements are the binding agents within concrete
and most mortar and are thus common and critically important
construction materials.
Those that are inherently hydraulic (i.e., require only the addition
of water to activate the cementation), and
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Cement and its make up
(chemical constituents)
The term pozzolan (or pozzolanic) refers to any
siliceous material that develops hydraulic
cementitious properties in the presence of lime.
Typical mineralogical composition of modern Portland cement
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Notable variations in the description of Portland cements
If concerns about sulfates persist,
it is advisable to specify a cement 1. A source of
that has a very low (C3A) sulfates, generally
composition (e.g High Alumina from sulfates or
Cement) which accounts for a sulfides (such as
high sulfate resistance. pyrite) in the ground
For sulfate attack to
occur leading to the
formation of ettrigite
and gypsum in 2. Mobile
concrete the Groundwater Alkali
+
following must be
sulfates soil
present
React with (C3A)
disruptive
compound
3. Calcium
hydroxide and
Carbonation
calcium aluminate
4. Calcium takes place
hydrate (carbon) in
carbonate
the matrix.
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Aggressive grounds: some general site
considerations
Thaumasite form of sulfate attack on concrete (TSA)
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If Alkalinity of water (say sea water) is said
Alkalinity is the measureable to be acidic then its pH value is likely to be <
capacity of any water to than 7 (pH 7 is neither alkaline nor acidic)
neutralize its own acidity.
However ground water is never Drinking water is non acidic i.e. pH value is >
devoid of impurities and than 7 and therefore has a higher capacity to
moreover water is added to the neutralize any acids contained there‐in. It
cement/concrete paste to follows, therefore that the lower the pH value
engage the process of cement the more acidic the water becomes.
hydration. Accordingly, water with a pH4 value is more
acidic compared to one with a value of pH8.
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Ordinary
Portland
Cement
In the more acidic solution, after 12 months the thaumasite mineral forms and
gradually replaces the cement paste matrix of the concrete, causing the concrete
surface to soften and eventually to disintegrate.
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Ordinary Portland Lime Based Cement
TSA occurred within 5 months in concrete tubes stored in sulfate solution at
4.5 C at pH of 12. Cubes in acid (as above) suffered considerable damage to
within 12 months.
Even after 12 months the Cubes immersed in acid (as above) showed mild signs
of carbonation and even those in alkaline only suffered minor discolouration
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Performance of concrete elements in aggressive
ground and groundwater
Additional Protective Measures (APMs) may have to be taken
when establishing concrete structures in aggressive ground and
ground water
Precautions against
Where the ground is susceptible heave
to heave precautions should be
taken.
Backfill
Voids should be left below floor
slabs and compressible material
should provide a barrier
between the soil and foundations
Void 125 –300mm
Slip liner can
Compressible material or void
be used
former to the inside face and around pile
underside of the ground beam,
this prevents the beam lifting or
moving when the clay expands
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Precaution against heave in a
trench fill foundation
Precautions against
Where the ground is susceptible heave: option1
to heave precautions should be
taken.
Backfill
Voids should be left below floor
slabs and compressible material
should provide a barrier
between the soil and foundations
Void 125 –300mm
Slip liner can
Compressible material or void
be used
former to the inside face and around pile
underside of the ground beam,
this prevents the beam lifting or
moving when the clay expands
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Precaution against heave in a trench fill foundation: option 2
Sulfates
The level of protection to the concrete elements
below ground level changes relative to what is in
the ground; if sulfates are present then Additional
Protective Measures –APM have to be considered
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Backfill Backfill
Voids should be left below
floor slabs and compressible
material should provide a
barrier between the soil and
foundations
Where trench fill is greater than
1.5m deep a compressible
material or void former should be
used against the inside face of the
foundation, positioned in
accordance with manufactures
instructions. 500mm
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Voids should be left below floor slabs and compressible material should
provide a barrier between the soil and foundations
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Terminal 2B London
Heathrow Airport Partially
completed pour with fibre
spaces maintaining the
necessary cover
Why is ‘Percafil’ below left in place permanently?
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Controlled Permeability Formwork used in the construction
of a raft foundation ensuring that the concrete is kept well
away and off any filled soils or ground.
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Provision of spaces to concrete elements
Spacers with increased acid resistance
These are often manufactured from a special material
composition that increases their resistance to acid attack.
Fibre concrete spacers are more resistant than
conventional spacers and protect the reinforcement
against acid attack for a longer time period and
considerably extend the design life of structures.
Special spacers must be used in
ground conditions proven to have
impurities or deleterious
materials that may be harmful to
concrete. It is not unusual to
increase the depth of the spacers
to accommodate the concerns the
engineer may have!
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Provision of spaces to concrete elements
References
BRE (2016) Soils, ground investigation and foundations - a collection of BRE expert
guidance on ground assessment, design and movement of foundations, and ancillary works:
A collection of BRE expert guidance on ground assessment, design and movement of
foundations, and ancillary works HIS/BRE Press
Emmitt S and Gorse C (2014) Barry’s Introduction to Construction of Buildings, 3rd edition
Oxford, Wiley and Blackwell
Emmitt S and Gorse C (2014) Barry’s Advanced Construction of Buildings, 3rd edition,
Oxford, Wiley and Blackwell
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