Leaching resistance of concrete surfaces in drinking water reservoirs

Leaching resistance of concrete surfaces in drinking water reservoirs Under usual conditions, cementitious materials are durable in drinking water. Pure water, on the other hand, can severely harm concrete surfaces. Consequently, the concrete surface becomes soft and the rebar-protecting passivity can be lost. In a DVGW-funded research project, concrete surfaces were exposed in a laboratory leaching test over a duration of several months and superficial changes were monitored. The results give insight into the emerging leaching processes, the advances of the deterioration, and the deterioration depth-profile. The results are discussed in terms of the major influences of leaching and the durability of concrete surfaces in drinking water reservoirs.