It’s no secret that the marine environment is particularly challenging for concrete. Structures in the tide or splash zones are especially vulnerable to ageing. The fluctuating moisture levels aggressively introduce contaminants, such as chlorides and sulphates, into the concrete matrix. These contaminants react with the concrete, accelerating its ageing and actively driving rebar corrosion.
Opportunity to Protect from Day One
When building marine structures with concrete, there’s an opportunity at the outset to significantly enhance the concrete’s durability and integrity throughout its life. If the concrete is made less permeable, these contaminants will have less opportunity to enter, and the deteriorative processes will be greatly reduced.
Now, of course, concrete mix design teams throughout the industry have focused on permeability issues for decades. Typically, the strength rating and the permeability are proportionally linked, due to increased cementitious content or other factors.
However, the mix designer has no control over placement and curing, and on-site scheduling or weather factors can negatively impact concrete quality. Micro-cracking and bleed channels are commonplace; they become avenues for contaminant ingress.
What is the Solution?
Catalytic hydrogel treatments, as admixes or curing enhancements, are an effective way to reduce concrete permeability. The hydrogel seals the concrete’s porosity by immobilising moisture. This closes up any channels for moisture movement and significantly enhances the durability of the concrete.
The treatment can be used in both pre-cast and in-situ poured elements.
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Ideal for Marine Structures
MARKHAM hydrogel treatments are ideal for marine structures, as the process is hydrophilic and is therefore not adversely affected by the constant moisture of the harsh environment.
The treatment penetrates deep into the concrete and cannot be worn or chipped away from the surface.
Because of these advantages, hydrogel treatments are significantly more effective over the long term than mere coatings.
Introducing the hydrogel proactively at the outset of the structure’s life will extend its prime condition and potentially reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Intrigued? Get in touch for more information!
Hydrogel treatments offer long-term benefits for concrete structures of all types.
Spend a little learning time with our on-demand webinar, “The Marine Concrete Experience“.
