<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Use of de-icing agents is necessary in winter to maintain appropriate quality of road and airport surfaces. Formate or acetate de-icing agents are safer for aircraft and the environment than the commonly used sodium chloride, but may cause an alkali-silica reaction in concrete. The study investigated the influence of sodium formate and potassium formate on the occurrence of ASR (alkali-silica reaction) in mortars with granite aggregate. Accelerated mortar-bar tests at 80°C using various de-icing agents were performed and detailed studies of the SEM-EDS microstructure were carried out.
</abstract>

Influence of Sodium and Potassium Formate on the ASR Reactivity of Granite Aggregate

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The paper discusses the results of laboratory experimental studies on reinforced concrete components (beams) with an outer polyurea layer. The important part of the study is the comparison of the results concerning the load-displacement relation for the reference beams (without the polyurea layer on their external surfaces) and those with the polyurea layer. The main conclusion from this part of the research is that the beam elements covered with a polyurea layer are protected against corrosion processes even in an emergency state. The occurrence of scratches, even of large size, is neutralized by the coating that effectively bridges them.
</abstract>

The Impact of a Polyurea Layer on Cracking and Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Breaking Load

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The article presents the results of tests of selected properties of plastering mortars that are based on natural gypsum binder, as well as on synthetic gypsum binder from the flue gas desulphurization process. The mortars were analyzed with regards to their durability. For the purpose of the publication, the recipe (quantitative) compositions of the plastering mortars, which differed in terms of the type of used setting retarder (PlastRetard PE and tartaric acid A200), were designed. The mortar recipes were determined experimentally, assuming that the beginning of the setting time was 120 min (the average beginning of the setting time for currently available building mortars), and that the content of the binder was 70%. The assumed research program included tests of flexural and compressive strength, surface hardness, and the adhesion to the substrate. The results of the research confirmed the possibility of modifying the recipe compositions of gypsum plastering mortars.
</abstract>

Tests of Selected Properties of Construction Mortars Modified with Waste Gypsum Binder Obtained in the Flue Gas Desulphurization Process

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Carbonation of concrete is a complex phenomenon, depending on many factors, including the heterogeneity of concrete, which results in an uneven carbonation front. The assessment of the depth of the carbonation front depends on the measurement technique adopted. The article summarizes the standard techniques for measuring the depth of carbonation and proposes an alternative measurement technique based on the measurement of the fields of the carbonated and noncarbonated surfaces, and then converting to the averaged depth of carbonation. For an example sample, the results obtained with different standard techniques and the proposed off-standard technique were compared.
</abstract>

Methodology for Measuring the Carbonation Depth of Concrete – Standard and Non-Standard Aspects

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The article presents selected maintenance problems of underground garages in residential and public buildings. Numerous examples from the authors’ engineering practice are presented. The characteristics of the most common failures and problems related to the repair of objects are discussed. The aim of the article is to emphasize the importance of proper diagnostics preceding an effective repair of damage.
</abstract>

Maintenance Problems of Underground Garages in Residential and Public Utility Buildings

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Effectiveness of selected chemical admixtures and mineral additives to mitigate alkali-silica reaction was compared based on reactive gravel aggregate. Lithium compounds in the form of nitrate and lithium polysilicate were used as chemical admixtures. Natural pozzolans containing zeolite were used as mineral additive. Efficiency of the additive was enhanced by modification with ammonium ions. Linear changes of mortars with crushed gravel aggregates were studied with the accelerated and long-term methods. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy was used for microstructural observations. It was demonstrated that at elevated temperatures the application of lithium compounds provided better protection. Under conditions similar to those in the field, 20-30% of natural pozzolans proved to be more effective in inhibiting the expansion. Regardless of the method of protection applied, the presence of alkali-silica reaction products was detected in the microstructure of the mortars.
</abstract>

Methods of Mitigating Alkali Reactivity of Gravel Aggregate

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Structure and Environment

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