A Review on Strength of Concrete in Marine Structures

Abstract

Several billion tons of water is annually used as mixing, curing and cleaning around the world, in concrete industry. As there is a scarcity of fresh drinkable water around the world; so there is a need to save fresh water and hence possibilities of using seawater as mixing as well as curing water should be investigated seriously. Additionally, if use of seawater as concrete material is permitted, it will be very convenient and economical in the construction; especially in the coastal works. However; most of the reinforced concrete codes do not permit the use of seawater due to risk of early corrosion of reinforcement. The effect of seawater on concrete deserves special attention as the coastal and offshore structures are exposed to simultaneous action of a number of physical and chemical deterioration processes. Moreover, 80 percent of the earth is covered by seawater either directly or indirectly (e.g. winds can carry sea water spray up to a few miles in land from the coast). Concrete piers, decks, break-water, and retaining walls are widely used in the construction of harbors and docks. The use of concrete offshore drilling platforms and oil storage tanks is already on the increase. This paper illustrates the various research and their results that were carried out earlier on the experimental studies on the strength of concrete in seawater.