Different evolution of tensile and compressive strength in concrete affected by acid mine drainage

Although not many studies have analysed the effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) on the durability of concrete, it is clear that such an aggressive environment affects the different mechanical parameters of this material. AMD is an environmental problem that affects the five continents and is especia...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Dávila Martín, José Miguel, Miguel Sarmiento, Aguasanta, Grande Gil, José Antonio, Luís, Ana Teresa
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Huelva (UHU)
Repositorio:Arias Montano. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ariasmontano.uhu.es:10272/22325
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10272/22325
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Acid Mine Drainage
Concrete
Durability
Tensile strength
Ultrasonic tests
Destructive tests
Sulphate
Gypsum
3305.06 Ingeniería Civil
3305.32 Ingeniería de Estructuras
3318.99 Otras
Descripción
Sumario:Although not many studies have analysed the effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) on the durability of concrete, it is clear that such an aggressive environment affects the different mechanical parameters of this material. AMD is an environmental problem that affects the five continents and is especially widespread in the south western part of the Iberian Peninsula, in an area known as the Iberian Pyrite Belt. In this work, the effect of AMD on tensile and compressive strength of concrete has been evaluated, analysing the evolution of these two fundamental parameters on this structural material. For this purpose, a series of concrete samples were subjected to a controlled AMD environment in the laboratory, using water with pH 2.8 collected from the Tharsis Mine (SW Spain). The concrete samples were prepared in accordance with the parameters required by various international standards. The samples were subjected to the aggressive environment by AMD for two periods of time (3 and 6 months), after which they were subjected to non-destructive testing and destructive testing until breaking the samples by means of compression and tensile (indirect tensile test). In addition, Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy studies were performed on samples before AMD influence and on samples affected by AMD for six months. The obtained results using the ultrasonic equipment showed a decrease in concrete quality, an increase in porosity and permeability, the reduction of modulus of elasticity that reaches 8.5% after six months, as well as the appearance of microcracks. The destructive the tests showed that tensile strength is much more affected than the compressive strength: the tensile strength went from 4.31 MPa to 3.27 MPa (24%) after six months, while the compressive strength went from 48.22 MPa to 43.83 MPa (9%) in the same period of time. This different evolution means that the formulas used in international standards that relating compressive strength to tensile strength need to be modified by means of a correction factor.