Repair of residential concrete foundation deteriorated by sodium sulfate attack

Abstract

In residential concrete foundations constructed on sulfate-bearing ground, sodium sulfate contained in the soil attacks concrete, and the scaling of the concrete foundation above the ground level often arises from the crystallization pressure of the sodium sulfate. In this study, we tried to establish a repair method using a coating material. As a result of laboratory experiment, following conclusions were obtained. Before applying a coating, it is necessary to chip the deteriorated part carefully. Coating has to be applied from underground part of the concrete foundation. Polyurethane resin coating, which has high strength, high adhesiveness, and low water permeability, is useful to protect the concrete from the deterioration.