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CONCRETE ANSWERS TO CONCRETE QUESTIONS

Petrographic Examination of Concrete

Petrographic examinations of concrete are typically performed due to the premature failure of an existing concrete structure or
a problem during a construction project. A petrographer is retained to determine the cause of the problem and often to determine
who is responsible. Petrographic examinations are also often performed as part of a condition study to determine if a concrete
structure can be rehabilitated or needs to be replaced. Common problems requiring petrographic examinations are given below:

Surface Scaling Improper Set Time Cement-Aggregate Reactions

Delamination Blistering Discoloration
Aggregate Popouts Dusting Sulfate Attack
Plastic Shrinkage Cracking Drying Shrinkage Cracking Acid Attack
Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel Structural Cracking Fire Damage
Low Strength Test Results D-Cracking Pyrrhotite Oxidation

A Petrographic Examination Can Provide Information About:

Fine & Coarse Aggregates Cement Paste
Aggregate Type & Composition Cement Paste Content
Quality of Aggregates Water-Cement Ratio
Presence of Deleterious Aggregates Degree of Cement Hydration
Identification of Cement Aggregate Reactions Presence and Relative Abundance of Fly Ash
Presence of Dirty Aggregates Presence and Relative Abundance of Slag Cement

Air Void System Condition of Wearing Surface Concrete

Total Air Void Content Increased or Decreased Water-Cement Ratio
Size and Spacing of Air Voids Entrained Air Void Content
Distribution of Air Voids
Relative Amount of Entrapped Air

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Coarse Aggregate/Cement Paste Interface Extent of Carbonation

Extent of Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel Presence of Curing Compound
Cause of Cracking Distress

Who Is At Fault?
Listed below are some examples of who would likely be responsible for various concrete issues:

Ready Mix Supplier Concrete Contractor/Finisher

Inadequate Air Void System Addition of Water on Site
Elevated Water-Cement Ratio Improper Finishing Techniques
Improper Setting Time Improper Curing
Improper Mixture Proportions Improper Joint Placement, Spacing or Timing

Aggregate Supplier General Contractor

Physically or Chemically Deleterious Constituents Protection of Concrete from Adverse Weather
Poor Aggregate Gradation

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