Improving concrete durability for sewerage applications

Abstract

Concrete is a widely adopted construction material in sewerage applications such as concrete pipes, manholes, box culverts, treatment tanks, and sewage conveyance tunnels. However, the contaminants in sewage may cause physical and chemical attacks to the concrete. In particular, the biogenic sulphuric acid attack poses a great threat to the concrete. This would shorten the service life of concrete and necessitate more frequent repairs and rehabilitations, thereby increasing the life-cycle cost of the sewerage infrastructure. As the prime solution to this problem, the authors advocate the development of sewerage concrete by improving the durability of concrete against sewerage attack. This chapter addresses the possible ways to improve the durability of concrete against sewerage attack, including the use of protective coatings, better concrete mix design (or more specifically mix design to improve the biogenic sulphuric acid resistance of concrete), and use of corrosion inhibitors.