Modelling acid attack on concrete: Part II. A computer model

A numerical model is presented for simulating the degradation of concrete under static or flowing acid attack by mineral or organic acids. The degradation process is described by the diffusion of species in the water-filled pore space produced by the dissolution of calcium in the binder paste matrix and, if dissolvable, the aggregate particles. Methods are presented for simulating the effect of (a) the aggregate particle distribution in the near-surface concrete region for a given grading curve, (b) the loss of surface material due to abrasive processes and (c) gypsum precipitation during sulphuric acid attack.