Durability of concrete in the coastal zone of Peru: Chimbote Case (#1942)

Authors

Cerna Vasquez, Marco Antonio

Abstract

Concrete durability in coastal environments is a critical concern for civil engineering, especially in a country like Peru, where the coastline extends over 2,400 kilometers and presents specific challenges due to climatic and geographic characteristics. This research focuses on the behavior of concrete when mixtures with type I and type V cement are used, evaluating their performance under severe exposure conditions and different curing methods that affect the structures and proposing solutions based on laboratory tests. For the sample considered, several standard tests were performed, such as settlement (12), unit weight (12), capillary suction (16), porosity (16) and compressive strength (180) in compliance with ASTM standards; as well as special tests such as sulfate resistance (48) and air permeability - Torrent (16) based on the Swiss SIA standard. The results indicate that mixes with type V cement, designed to resist the action of sulfates, show superior performance in terms of durability compared to mixes using type I cement, especially under dry curing. However, the tests also reveal that standard curing offers significant additional protection, improving resistance to sulfate ingress and the formation of chemical attack products within the concrete matrix. Finally, this research contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9, as improving the properties of concrete and increasing its resistance to aggressive agents such as seawater and sulfates will lead to a better use of resources, contributing to the reduction of operating costs and a more efficient use of materials.