Protect Foundation Structures from Soils and Groundwater Attacks

Description:

Foundation is an essential part of structures and it greatly affects structural integrity of the structure. Foundation structures are commonly subjected to different forms of attacks from underground water and soils and hence necessary protection measures are required to be undertaken. 

How to Protect Foundation Structures:

Causes of attacks:

• Soil and groundwater exploration.
• Protection of concrete foundation structures against attacks in soil and ground water.
• Protection of steel piles against corrosion.
• Protection of timber piles.

Types of Foundation and Causes of Attacks:

Concrete Structure:

• Chemical wastes and sulphates in the ground.
• Erosion.
• Mechanical abrasion.

Steel Piles:

•  Environmental conditions could lead to corrosion.

Timber Piles:

• Organism in soil lead to decaying of timber piles.
• Floating objects cause abrasion.
• Wave action.

It is also dependent on climatic conditions and the changes in levels of groundwater.

Protection of Concrete Foundation Structures:

Protection Against Sulphate Attack:

ASTM classification, Type II Portland cement can provide a fair resistance against sulphate attack, and Type V Portland cement possess great resistance against sulphate attacks.

Protection of Concrete Foundation Against Organic Acid Attacks:

Rapid hardening cement in combination with fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag would provide desired protection.

Protection of Concrete Foundation Against Chemical and Industrial Wastes:

Pile foundation that made up of precast concrete shell, hollow interior having a PVC pipe placed and filled with concrete and the outer shell work as a sacrificial over the length of the shaft in the ground that contaminated with chemical wastes.

Protection of Steel Piles Against Corrosion:

             Steel Pile Paint Treatment.

             Cathodic Protection of Steel Piles.

Protection of Timber Piles:

             Preservation of timber piles by creosote.

             Protection of timber piles using concrete.