Analysis of the Quality of Concrete Noise Barriers

¹ Technical university of Košice, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vysokoskolska 4, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia
² VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Mining and Geology, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

In construction, concrete structures are a basic building element with high resistance and durability. However, despite their robustness, concrete can be subject to degradation processes due to various environmental factors and mechanical stress. In the context of noise barriers, which are exposed to external influences and frequent mechanical stress, monitoring the condition and quality of concrete structures is particularly important. This work focuses on the analysis of degradation processes in concrete structures of noise barriers of various locations and ages. Some structures showed a high degree of carbonation of up to 85%, which was consistent with a reduced pH value and confirmed by chemical analyses. High concentrations of soluble chlorides were detected in the concrete materials, exceeding the specified limit by more than threefold. On the other hand, no significantly high degree of salinity was observed in the case of nitrate, or sulfate content.