Concrete Petrography

Introduction: Historical background, Scope of this book, Inspection and in situ testing of structures, Petrographic examination of Concrete*Petrographic Examination Techniques: Introduction, Initial methods of examination, Low-power stereo microscope, Universal polarising microscope, Polarising incident-light microscope, Analysis of light using the polarising microscope, Fluorescence microscopy, Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FT-IR), Phase contrast and related techniques, Photography in concrete petrography, Quantitative microscopy, Examination of particles, Examination of thin-sections, Spectroscopic methods of indentification, Scanning electron microscopy, Thermal analysis, Chemical analysis of cement, The petrographer's bookshelf.*Sampling and Specimen Preparation: Sampling problems, Inspection of structures, Specimen selection and investigative objectives, Particulate materials, Sampling concrete, Preparation of finely ground and polished surfaces, Preparation of petrographic thin sections, Specimen preparation for special purposed, Preparation involving dyes, stains and etches*Composition of Concrete: Scope, Cement types, Aggregate types and characteristics, Water/cement ratio, Air-void content and air-entrainment, Mineral additions and pigments, Chemical admixtures, Modal analysis of concrete * The appearance and textures of concrete: The hardened cement paste, Calcium hydroxide, Carbonation, The surface layer of concrete, Interfaces, Void space in concrete, Cracking in concrete * The examination of deteriorated and damaged concrete: Sulfate attack, Frost and freeze thaw damage, Acid and alkaline attack on concrete, Carbonation, salts and steel corrosion, Plastic and drying shrinkage, Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR), Fire damaged concrete, General aspects of deterioration and weathering * Concrete products and miscellaneous materials: Examination of laboratory specimens, Fibre-reinforced products, Concrete pipe, block, brick, tile and pavers, Plaster, mortar and grout based on Portland cement, Floor finishes, Lime materials and products, Gypsum, hemihydrate and anhydrite, Lightweight aggregates and concretes.