Journal of Materials and Engineering Structures
Volume 12, Numéro 4, Pages 625-654
2025-12-30

A Review On Carbonation In Cement Composites And Its Impacts On Durability And Potential For Co₂ Sequestration



Authors : Bhat Aijaz Hussain . Sharma Shashi Kant .

Abstract

Carbonation is a key process affecting the durability, strength, and environmental impact of concrete. While it refines pore structure and enhances strength, it also lowers alkalinity, leading to reinforcement corrosion risks. The carbonation rate is influenced by CO₂ concentration, relative humidity, w/c ratio, binder composition, and exposure conditions, all of which determine its impact on concrete performance. This review examines the mechanism of carbonation, influencing factors, effects on mechanical and durability properties, and the relationship between natural and accelerated carbonation. The study highlights that carbonation influences mechanical and durability properties, with research showing that moderate carbonation curing increases compressive strength by 10–30%. Still, excessive carbonation leads to C-S-H decalcification, reducing durability. While accelerated carbonation tests show a carbonation rate 10-15 times faster than natural exposure, the corresponding increase in carbonation depth is only 2.5-5 times, indicating a non-linear relationship that complicates the direct prediction of long-term field performance from laboratory data. Case studies confirm that protected concrete surfaces exhibit minimal carbonation depth (<10 mm in 100 years), whereas exposed surfaces reach up to 50 mm, causing surface deterioration. Additionally, carbonation contributes to CO₂ sequestration, with Itaipu Dam alone absorbing 13,384 tons of CO₂ over 35 years. This comprehensive analysis emphasizes the need for refined, experimentally validated models to accurately predict carbonation and harness its benefits while mitigating risks in future sustainable concrete design.

Keywords

Concrete carbonation ; Accelerated vs natural carbonation ; CO₂ sequestration in concrete ; CO2 uptake ; SCMs

Les articles similaires

Effect Of Content And Fineness Of Slag As High Volume Cement Replacement On Strength And Durability Of Ultra-high Performance Mortar

Gupta Souradeep . 
pages 43-54.

Effect Of Inclusion Of Crumb Rubber On The Unconfined Compressive Strength And Wet-dry Durability Of Cement Stabilized Clayey Soil

Yadav Jitendra Singh .  Tiwari Suresh Kumar . 
pages 68-84.

Durability Of Composite Cement With Tefereyre (niger) Coal Bottom Ash: Capillary Absorption, Porosity To Water And Acid Attack

Savadogo Nafissatou .  Messan Adamah .  Hannawi Kinda .  Tsobnang François .  Agbodjan William Prince . 
pages 213-223.

State Of The Art On Enhanced Oil Recovery With Co2 ‎sequestration For Low Carbon Industry ‎

Atia A .  Mohammedi K . 
pages 5-8.

Reviewing The Carbonation Resistance Of Concrete

Singh N. .  Singh S.p. . 
pages 35-57.

Formats de citation