Correlation Analyses on Physical and Mechanical Parameters of Concrete in Marine Environments

Abstract

This work explored the correlation among the physical and mechanical parameters of concrete in marine environments during corrosion. Concrete materials with varied water–cement ratios (w/c) were soaked in four kinds of simulated seawater, including a compound solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), a solution of MgSO4, a solution of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), and clear water. The macroscopic physical and mechanical parameters, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, mass change and ultrasonic wave velocity, were measured. The damage mechanism of corrosion products and microstructures was analyzed using microscopic approaches including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. Linear correlation was carried out on the abovementioned physical parameters, and the results revealed that, during corrosion, the correlation between compressive and tensile strength and mass (excluding Na2SO4 solution) is positive (mostly highly correlated), while that with wave velocity is poor (mostly moderately correlated).