The deterioration of concrete in wastewater treatment plants

ABSTRACT: Loss of serviceability over time is the simplest definition of deterioration. Concrete deterioration can be a result of the interaction of several factors that affect the structure of concrete in terms of durability. Wastewater treatment plant concretes must resist all the natural factors and operational impacts without the need of major maintenance and repair. For this reason high quality and durable concretes should be designed. The compressive strength, durability of concrete and the corrosion in reinforcement steel bars; might be affected due to the harmless effect of acidic wastewater with the passing time. This thesis states the harmful effects of the wastewater on concrete durability and the properties of concrete which is suitable for wastewater treatment plant purposes were studied. The most recently built wastewater plants Gazimağusa plant, Baquba-Iraq plant and EMU campus plant have been investigated. In addition, some laboratory experiments have been performed for EMU campus wastewater treatment plant. At the end of this study it can be concluded that, high durable concrete should be produced in order to prevent its deterioration either at early stages or to extend its lifetime service. Keywords: Wastewater Treatment Plant, Corrosion, Permeability, Microorganism, Durable Concrete. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………