Effect of leaching on mechanical properties and durability of concrete: A review

Leaching profoundly impacts the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. In a soft water environment, hydration products such as calcium hydroxide in concrete will gradually dissolve and lose, resulting in a decrease in calcium content, an increase in porosity, and a decrease in alkalinity inside the concrete, which has an adverse effect on the mechanical properties of the concrete. As the leaching process continues, the porosity of the concrete continues to increase, and the permeability also gradually increases, which makes more moisture and other harmful substances can enter the concrete more easily, which intensifies the damage process of the concrete. Long term leaching will cause changes in the volume of concrete structures, resulting in cracks and peeling on the surface of the concrete, seriously endangering the overall stability and bearing capacity of the structure. This paper provides a systematic summary and analysis of domestic and international research on the effect of leaching on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete, and predicts and analyzes its future research direction.