Natural carbonation of self-compacting concretes

This experimental work involves a study of the carbonation depth in self-compacting concretes at different ages and also analyses their porous microstructure, since these aspects are directly related to each other. Eight different concretes were used, four self-compacting (SCC) and four normally-vibrated (NVC). The carbonation rate was found to be lower in SCC than NVC, due to the fact that limestone fines produce less porosity and a finer microstructure. The difference between both types of concrete tends to disappear as their fines content becomes similar. It was also observed that, under the test conditions (RH 60.8%), for pore sizes under 0.065 μm CO2 diffusion in the interior of the concrete is not significant. An expression is proposed to estimate carbonation rate in concrete from the volume of pores over 0.065 μm and the threshold diameter.