Leaching in water retaining structures

Without water cement cannot get hydrated. However, after the hydration process has been completed, the presence of water can dissolve the hydration product and degrade the structure. This is more true for water retaining concrete structures. For example, in the case of dam, the hydrostatic pressure coupled with water permeability can leach out the hydration …

Leaching

Structures such as dam where the flow of water via pores of concrete is high, there could be significant loss of mono-sulfate and ettringite and decalcification of calcium silicate hydrate due to leaching out of these salts to the surface and subsequently washing away. This will lead to reduction in strength of concrete and increases …