Effect of plastering on the carbonation of a 35-year-old reinforced concrete building

A carbonation examination was conducted of a 35-year-old educational building that was located in a subtropical environment. A very important reduction in carbonation was discovered for the columns and beams of building that was plastered (sand–cement render) and/or putted tile/coating. There was no carbonation of the concrete when the plaster (render) thickness surpassed 50 mm. The surface coatings such as tile with high compact and impermeable material may clearly delay the carbonation of concrete. The measured carbonation depth and coefficient of carbonation rate of the building are 8.34 mm and 1.38 mm/(yrs)1/2, respectively.