Concrete Sweating - Phenomenon, Causes and Prevention

1/25/2019 Concrete Sweating - Phenomenon, Causes and Prevention
(https://theconstructor.org/)
Concrete Sweating – Phenomenon, Causes and Prevention
Fly Ash Bricks - Patna, Bihar OPEN

Fly ash Brick Manufacturer & Supplier magadhbrick.com
Concrete sweating is the phenomena of accumulation of water droplets on the surface of conc
di erence in temperature of the outer environment and concrete. A sweating concrete oor ca
nuisance that can create a slippery surface and make the oor damp.
-40% -40% -50%
https://theconstructor.org/concrete/concrete-sweating-causes-prevention/29060/?utm_source=pushengage&utm_medium=pushnotification&utm_cam… 1/8
Fig 1: Concrete Sweating
In this article, we study the phenomenon of concrete sweating, its causes and prevention meth
Phenomenon of Concrete Sweating

When the warm and humid air enters the structure through the openings such as door, window
the humid air di uses itself inside the structure and it condenses on any surface that is at or be
temperature and forms water droplets on the concrete surface.
For example, ambient conditions within a structure have been in the range of 70º F and 50% re
several weeks and the slab surface temperature is also close to 70º F. A weather front moves in
90% relative humidity. As the warmer, moisture-laden air makes its way into the building, any s
below 77º F will be at dew point.
As the concrete surface is at dew point, the moisture of the air tends to condense on the concr
it is not readily absorbed and form water droplets on the surface, thus leading to concrete swe
This phenomenon is popularly known as Sweating Slab Syndrome.
To explain this phenomenon by practical example, it’s the same condition that causes the outs
beverage container to get wet on a warm, humid day or the surface of your car to get wet when
a cool, damp night.
Causes of Concrete Sweating
Fly Ash Bricks

Patna, Bihar
Fly ash Brick Manufacturer &
Supplier
magadhbrick.com OPEN
The concrete sweating is majorly caused due to the di erence in the temperature, but there ar
lead to concrete sweating. They are discussed below –
1. Dew Point
As explained above in the phenomenon of concrete sweating, this is the major cause for the co
When relatively warm, moist air comes in contact with a very cool concrete slab, the cold tempe
concrete will cause the air that comes in contact with it to cool.
If the air cools at or below the dew point, it will begin to condense on the surface of the concre
wet and sometimes misty looking concrete surface.
2. Due to Wet Adjacent soil

In the structure such as retaining concrete wall, breast wall which has a wet soil on the other si
the concrete is solid hard and dense materials, it has minute capillaries that facilitate the move
droplets from one side to another and thus making the concrete sweat.
Fig 2: Concrete sweating due to wet adjacent soil.
If the air above the concrete is warmer, the moisture within it will rise to the surface and evapo
create a wet surface if there is enough moisture. It can also cause e orescence and make the
wet.
3. Salts Deposits
The salts have a property to attract moisture from the air and also possibly from within the con
to hygroscopic nature of the salt.
The salts deposition can be due to any reason, either from the concrete itself or any external a
Fly Ash Bricks

Patna, Bihar
Fly ash Brick Manufacturer &
Supplier
magadhbrick.com OPEN
4. Density of Concrete Slab

This caused for concrete sweating is not usually found in the main concrete slab as utmost care
compaction and surface nishing. This is caused in the pour back strips inside the perimeter of
When tested, the porosity of a pour-back strip is generally found to be greater than that of the
most likely reason is that pour back strips are often not nished in the same fashion as the ma
not have received any sealer/densi er treatment that was used on the main body of the slab.
5. Cleanliness of Concrete Slab

The cleanliness of the slab is another potential contributing factor. A slab surface covered with
marks or exhaust deposits can also reduce surface permeability. As a slab surface becomes les
only will it become less absorptive to moisture from above, but if an e ective vapour retarder i
beneath the slab, moisture levels within the concrete and near the slab surface will increase ov
Prevention Measures for Concrete Sweating

The preventive measures for concrete sweating are listed down below –
1. Good Housekeeping Practices

The concrete surface must be kept clean from any salts and deposits. A good way to do this is t
cleaning agents to scrub your oors and vacuum your machines. This must be properly done to
measure for employees as well as protecting your assets.
Fig 3: Scrubbing the concrete oor for slat deposits.
2. Good Air Movement Within the Facility

Often, sweating slabs occurs because air inside the structure can’t easily ow out. If the air mov
building isn’t su cient, it is necessary to nd a means to de-stratify the air such as an HVLS Fan
3. Use HVLS Ceiling Fans

use of HVLS fans reduces ceiling-to- oor temperature di erential and also increase surface eva
These fans provide a cost-e ective way to keep your structures cool while preventing the build
your oors.
Fig 4: HVLS Ceiling Fan
4. De-Humidi cation Units

Use of dehumidi cation units to alter the interior building environment which may help reduce
sweating slab syndrome. This is a costly unit which could add on your energy bill.
Fig 5: De-Humidi cation Units
5. Use Low-Permeance and Low-Slab Retarders

This can prove particularly e ective where products are stored directly on the oor. They tend
possibility of moisture rising and condensing beneath stored products.
About Fasi Ur Rahman (https://theconstructor.org/author/fasi/)

Fasi is a Civil Engineer associated with Tumkur Smart City Project. He is the author, editor and partner at thec
©2018 The Constructor - Civil Engineering Home

Concrete Sweating - Phenomenon, Causes and Prevention

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Concrete Sweating - Phenomenon, Causes and Prevention

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

1/25/2019 Concrete Sweating - Phenomenon, Causes and Prevention

Concrete Sweating – Phenomenon, Causes and Prevention

Fly Ash Bricks - Patna, Bihar OPEN

-40% -40% -50%

Fig 1: Concrete Sweating

Phenomenon of Concrete Sweating

This phenomenon is popularly known as Sweating Slab Syndrome.

Causes of Concrete Sweating

Fly Ash Bricks

2. Due to Wet Adjacent soil

Fig 2: Concrete sweating due to wet adjacent soil.

Fly Ash Bricks

4. Density of Concrete Slab

5. Cleanliness of Concrete Slab

Prevention Measures for Concrete Sweating

1. Good Housekeeping Practices

Fig 3: Scrubbing the concrete oor for slat deposits.

2. Good Air Movement Within the Facility

3. Use HVLS Ceiling Fans

Fig 4: HVLS Ceiling Fan

4. De-Humidi cation Units

Fig 5: De-Humidi cation Units

5. Use Low-Permeance and Low-Slab Retarders

About Fasi Ur Rahman (https://theconstructor.org/author/fasi/)

©2018 The Constructor - Civil Engineering Home

Potrebbero piacerti anche