A STUDY ON THE EVALUATION OF CARBONATION PROGRESS IN ALC BASED ON CARBONATION-SATURATED CONDITION

Abstract

 This research work focuses on an index to the extent of the carbonation progress of ALC based on the carbonation-saturated condition. The progress of carbonation can serve as an index to changes in the strength of ALC panels over time. However, the proportion of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) to the total calcium content in ALC at the time of saturation of carbonation reaction varies depending on its production history. Therefore, relative comparison between the degrees of carbonation of different types of ALC is unfeasible solely by comparison of the quantity of CaCO₃ generated by carbonation. In contrast, the level of progress up to saturated carbonation in terms of CO₂ can be used as a parameter for relative comparison. The authors therefore propose the use of the level of carbonation progress for estimating the strength loss. It was also found in this study that the strength of ALC subjected to carbonation in an accelerated environment is retained equal to the initial value up to a level of carbonation progress of around 50% but decreases to 70% with a level of carbonation progress of 100%.