Effect of agents of organic origin on concrete degradation

Abstract

Concrete and structural elements used within agricultural activities are affected by a range of factors, which have a significant effect on properties and durability of concrete. Among typical factors belong corrosive effect of silage juices, excrements of farm animals or also effect of microorganisms commonly present at soil. In the paper, there are stated results from testing of fine-grained concretes of different compositions, which were exposed to corrosive substances of biogenic origin. A great emphasis was especially put on observation of a silage effect on final physical-mechanical properties of concretes. Together with silage effects, effects of its components - acetic acid and lactic acid were also tested. These effects were compared with the corrosive effect of biogenic sulfuric acid. From current results, it was confirmed, that individual corrosive agents take part in a concrete degradation in a different extent. A concrete composition plays an important role in this process as well.