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ABSTRACT
The severity of the Arabian Gulf environment demands certain provisions for a
design code that would cater to local challenges in concreting. With this view in mind,
an apparent climatic divide was identified for the Arabian Peninsula viz. HotDry and
HotHumid zones which were further classified into an order of exposures, detailing
the potential dangers to concrete durability. Moreover, suggestions are included based
on both research and experience in the Gulf, to practice essential quantity and quality
checks on concrete mix design parameters. It is intended that this contribution would
help formulate a draft design code respecting concrete durability in this part of the
world.
Key words: Cement, Codes, Compressive Strength, Concrete Durability, Cover,
Climate, Curing, Exposure, HotDry Zone, HotHumid Zone, Threshold Limits.
*Address for Correspondence:
Civil Engineering Department
Kuwait University
P.O. Box 5969, Safat 13060, Kuwait
e-mail: naseer@civil.kuniv.edu.kw
Paper Received 21 February 2005; Revised 19 June 2005; Accepted 24 October 2005.
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The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 31, Number 1C.
205
206
The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 31, Number 1C.
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Figure 1. Key cities in the hotdry and hot humid zones of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Description
Mild
Structures protected from harsh conditions except for a brief period of exposure to normal weather conditions
during construction.
Moderate
Structures submerged in water, structures sheltered from rains, salt spray, and heavy winds, structures exposed
to dry winds, underground structures.
Severe
Structures exposed to spray or abrasive action of sea water, alternate wetting and drying, structures exposed to
corrosive fumes in industrial areas, underground structures.
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Actual Data
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
2
10
Time in years
Actual Data
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
2
10
Time in years
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
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staining, to name a few and eventually predict service-life. Table 2 presents a possible classification of the Arabian Gulf
into exposure zones which are given the acronyms GM (Gulf Marine), GC (Gulf Coastal), GI (Gulf Inland), and
GL (Gulf Low-Risk).
Carbonation Depth with distance from the sea
16
14
6
5
4
3
2
1
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
10
15
20
Exposure
Gulf
Marine
Zone
GM
0 100 m
within the
shore
Subdivision
GM 1
Spray
GM 2
Splash / tidal
GM 3
Submerged
Description of attack
Active corrosion due to aerosols and salts
Acute chloride-induced corrosion due to sea waves and current
abrasion
Minimum corrosion risk
Chloride and sulfate decomposition
Biological attack
Dampness on structures attracting salts and fungal growth
Gulf
Coastal
Zone
Gulf
Inland
Zone
Gulf
Low-Risk
Zone
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GC
GI
GL
100 m from
the shore up to
10 km
GI A
Within
capillary-rise
zone (i.e. 3m
or less above
water table)
GIB
Above
capillary-rise
zone
10 50 km
50 km and
above
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209
HotHumid Zone
GI
GM
GL
GC
Severity of Exposures
GM1, GM2
GIB, GIA, GC
GIB
GL
od
er
at S
e- e
ild M sev ver
o
-M d er e
od era e
er te
at
M e
ild
GIB, GM3
5. CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY IN THE ARABIAN GULF QUANTITY AND QUALITY CONTROL FOR
DURABILITY
Cement
Along with other factors, the amount of Portland cement used in concrete is hugely responsible for the ill-effects of
cracking due to plastic shrinkage and thermal gradients resulting from cement hydration in the region [17]. The higher
the cement content, the greater is the magnitude of cracks. Also the quality of cement used greatly controls the
permeability of the hydrated paste. The authors suggest that an amount of Portland cement maintained at 300 to
400 kg/m3 of concrete along with appropriate amounts of cement replacement materials like silica fume, fly ash, and
ground granulated blast furnace slag should be sufficient to obtain concrete of adequate strength, density and durability
for the Gulf. Strictly speaking, the addition of these materials should be administered carefully within the specified
limits because an oversight would alter the permeability and other properties of concrete. Moreover, proper and timely
curing is necessary to prevent early-age plastic and drying shrinkage cracking in the case of silica fume addition whereas
it is essential in the development of a refined pore structure in the case of fly ash addition [18].
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Cover
The cover to reinforcement is the breastplate of concrete in aggressive exposure. A small cover made with poorquality concrete has a higher tendency to crack due to heat and moisture movements thereby facilitating easy approach
paths for salt ingress. Apparently, the rate of progress of carbonation and chlorides in concrete could be predicted as a
function of the square root of time [19] as shown in Equation (1) (t is the time of measurement in years).
Depth = k t .
(1)
On study, it is observed that k has a value of 4.5 mm/y1/2 and above for chloride penetration in hothumid exposures
whereas it is below 4 mm/y1/2 in hotdry exposures for concrete strengths ranging from 20 to 30 MPa. At the same time,
carbonation penetrates at a rate k equivalent to 10 times B, where B is a constant depending on the strength of
concrete and storage conditions [20]. Haque and Al-Khaiat have investigated the values of B in a survey conducted on
various structures in Kuwait. Its value was approximated as 0.3 for concrete in strengths ranging from 30 to 50 MPa
[16]. These values of penetration rates are thought to be instrumental in determining proper covers for concrete
structures exposed to different environments.
Curing
This might be considered a low-key and tedious operation but its neglect, especially in the Gulf, could highly impair
the concrete, resulting huge costs in terms of repair of cracks and reconstruction. Curing can be done both by external
wetting and membranes. However, Matta [21] described that hessian (burlap), which is the common means of
membrane curing in the Gulf, has a tendency to increase permeability in concrete with time because hessian dries
quickly and draws out moisture from within concrete. Hence, membrane curing should not be counted as a sole
alternative to wet curing. Rather both should go hand in hand such that hessian is kept wet permanently. Regarding the
duration of curing, Haque [22] recommended that a mandatory initial curing period of 7 days would be satisfactory in
achieving good quality concrete. Moreover, it goes without saying, sea or brackish water should never be used for
curing.
Minimum Compressive Strength
It was a long-held myth that strength and durability of concrete are synonymous [23], when, in reality, strength is only
one of the indicators of durability. Today, high strength is achieved by implementing high quality materials, lower
watercement ratios, state-of-the-art superplasticisers [24], and so on. Haque and Khaiat [25] recommend that structural
reinforced concrete in the Gulf should have a minimum 28-day compressive strength of 30 MPa. This is essential to
ward off the effects of severe exposure.
Additional Protection of Reinforcement
Reinforcement holds out much longer in a corrosion-free, passive environment offered by concrete, but this fails when
concrete renders itself inadequate with time in a hot and aggressive environment. Without mentioning the importance of
cement, cover, and curing all over again, protection in ordinary concrete is also ensured when watercement ratios are
kept low. Such concretes are found to have slower chloride penetration and lesser sensitivity to carbonation and external
chemical attack [26]. Furthermore, proper structural detailing of reinforcement bars, special surface coatings for
concrete [27], the use of epoxy coated or galvanized steel, stainless steel [28] etc. would provide much better resistance
to corrosion, thereby extending service-life considerably.
It is also advised that concrete mixes adhere to the threshold limits set for chlorides due to huge risks of corrosion
from external salt contamination encountered in the Gulf. The critical chloride content that would trigger corrosion in
reinforcement varies from code to code [29]. Matta [21] had reported a chloride content of 0.8 to 1.5 kg/m3 of concrete
to be the threshold limit whereas a limiting range of 0.6 to 0.9 kg of chloride per m3 of concrete in another account forms
a more conservative edge [15].
Conforming to Gulf standards, it is recommended that a total (acid-soluble) chloride content of nearly 0.2% by weight
of cement and 0.4% by weight of cement would serve as reasonable threshold limits for highly aggressive and moderate
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211
exposures respectively. Table 4 presents these limits for reinforced concrete using ordinary Portland cement in different
exposures. Haque and Al-Khaiat have also maintained that chloride contamination of the mix ingredients should never
exceed 0.1% by weight of cement [15].
Table 4. Suggested Limits for Chlorides in Concrete at the Time of Placing.
Type of exposure
Mild
0.8
Moderate
0.4
Severe
0.15 0.2
Dastidar and Khalili [30] stated from their experience in the Gulf that the maximum chloride content which is unlikely
to cause corrosion at a serious rate in uncarbonated concrete is about 0.5% by weight of cement. In Table 4, this theory
would fit the criteria for moderate exposure (likelihood of carbonation) where 0.4% is the limit set for carbonated
concrete.
Protection from Sulfate Attack
Sulfate contamination from both inherent mix ingredients and external sources (soil and groundwater) has a
disintegrating effect on concrete causing the formation of large cracks. Sulfate attack can be controlled by the use of
highly impermeable concrete and more recently, surface coatings provide an added safeguard for footings and
foundations located in areas susceptible to a rise in ground water table. Guides like the CIRIA [31] recommend that the
amount of water soluble sulfates in the concrete mix be limited to 4% by weight of cement. Haque and Al-Khaiat have
stated that sulfate contamination in the concrete mix should not be allowed to exceed 2% by weight of cement which is
in keeping with Gulf standards [15].
Based on the above information, the authors have furnished appropriate OPC mix design parameters corresponding to
all exposures relative to their location from the sea in Table 5. This table is designed to serve as a check for concrete
practitioners in the Arabian Gulf.
For the readers understanding, it must be observed that most of the quantities in the table are provided as a range.
This is because the GM, GC, GI, and GL exposures vary in their degree of severity from mild to severe. Also, it is
recommended to adopt rich mixes (cement content ranging from 300 to 450 kg/m3 of concrete) using low watercement
ratios with suitable plasticizers, since Bader [32] had reported an excellent durability performance with such mixes even
in harsh marine conditions. From among the minimum covers specified, 60 to 80 mm is thought to be sufficient for the
GM (Gulf Marine) exposure while CIRIA [31] states at least 100 mm for its GM equivalent. It must be argued that a
huge cover of 100 mm or more would invite cracks from service loads or drying shrinkage [33], therefore spelling
greater risks to structural integrity.
Table 5 Recommended Mix Design Parameters for Reinforced Ordinary Portland Cement Concrete in the Arabian Gulf.
212
Type of Exposure
Maximum water
cement ratio
GM (Gulf Marine)
60 80
0.35 0.4
35 45
GC (Gulf Coastal)
60 70
0.4
35 40
GI (Gulf Inland)
50 60
0.45
30 45
GL (Gulf Low-risk)
25 40
0.5
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6. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions provide the gist of the concepts discussed so far.
1. Studies reveal that exposures in the Gulf can be grouped in accordance with their degree of severity and proximity
to the sea. It is established that GM (Gulf Marine) and GC (Gulf Coastal) exposures come rightly under the hot
humid zone whereas GI (Gulf Inland) and GL (Gulf Low-Risk zone) are more a part of the hotdry zone. In other
words, the Arabian Gulf is not influenced by a single climatic pattern but rather is an impressive accumulation of
extreme humid conditions near the coast and lesser humid conditions, inland. This accounts for the accelerated
progress of chlorides, sulfates, and carbonation in structures near the coast, whilst the same deterioration
mechanisms occur inland due to the characteristic heat and geological conditions.
2. Cement content in the range of 300 to 400 kg/m3 of concrete is satisfactory to avoid plastic shrinkage cracks and
thermal cracks due to the heat resulting from cement hydration.
3. It is recommended to maintain the maximum watercement ratios in ordinary Portland cement concrete in the range
of 0.35 to 0.5 for Gulf exposures according to their varying severity. This must be implemented provided
workability of the mix is ensured.
4. Concrete structures are much sturdier against deterioration when they possess a minimum compressive strength of
30 to 45 MPa.
5. Curing should never be ignored or mismanaged especially during the first one week of placing. Concrete covers
have been selected for each exposure and must be adhered to rigorously since it determines the progressive entry of
harmful salts into concrete.
6. Threshold limits set for both chlorides and sulfates provide helpful checks in maintaining high performance and
reliability of concrete in the Gulf.
7. The paper does not comment on the properties of aggregates to be used and the skills required for effective
workmanship in construction. These factors also significantly contribute to high quality concrete.
In summary, the authors have tried to furnish details relating to durability of concrete on the grounds of
experimentation and in-depth study. It is envisaged that this information would assist engineers and researchers involved
in the field to unitedly combine all efforts towards the launching of a design code for the Arabian Gulf.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the office of the Vice President of Research, Kuwait
University in the project EV09/00 for studies on the durability of concrete in the Arabian Gulf.
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