Changes in the Structural and Phase Composition of Cement Concrete During Microbiological Corrosion

Abstract

The article considers the change in the structural and phase composition of cement stone made of Portland cement of the CEM I 42.5 N brand in the process of bacterial and fungal corrosion during 6 months when humidified. The X-ray images of cement stone show peaks that characterize the non-hydrated components of Portland cement alite, belite, tricalcium aluminate, four-calcium aluminoferrite and gypsum. By the method of X-ray phase analysis, it is found that during microbiological corrosion, the content of all phases of cement stone decreases. The aspergillus niger van Tieghem fungi have a stronger effect on the structural and phase composition of cement stone. Fungal microorganisms destroy the crystalline phases and absorb amorphous phases – calcium hydrosilicates C-S-H (I) and C-S-H (II) and tobermorite. When bacteria Bacillus subtilis affects the cement stone, the content of the calcite phase increases, which is a product of corrosion, while the action of black mold reduces the intensity of CaCO3 peaks. A decrease in the content of low-base calcium hydrosilicates and ettringite, as well as other crystalline phases, leads to a decrease in the compressive strength of the cement stone. During 6 months of microbiological corrosion of cement concrete under conditions of constant wetting, the compressive strength decreases by about 35 %.