Field investigation of slab deterioration due to carbonation in a concrete building

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation on a deteriorated slab of a two-story building located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The structure has been in use as a residential building for more than 60 years. The top slab of the first floor was delaminated and reinforcement bars were severely corroded. Condition assessment of the building was done using the Schmidt hammer test, cover-meter survey and half-cell potential measurements. In addition to the non-destructive tests done, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were also conducted on the deteriorated concrete.