A Comprehensive Review of Carbonation in Supplementary Cementitious Concrete: Factors Affecting, Measurement Methods, and Challenges

Authors

Mariam Farouk Ghazy, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta UniversityFollow
Metwally abd allah Abd Elaty, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta UniversityFollow
Esraa Samir Abdeljalil, Student, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta UniversityFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70259/engJER.2025.921958

Abstract

Abstract-After water, concrete is the most widely used material on the planet. Accelerated carbonation treatment is an effective approach of reducing carbon emission in the concrete industry. Such carbonation process converts gaseous CO2 into carbonated minerals. This review provided a special focus on internal and external variables affecting carbonation depth. Internal variables such as mixture components, External variables such as adding pozzolanic materials such as fly ash, and slag were examined systematically, temperature, pressure, and CO2 concentration. The effect of accelerated carbonation curing on the compressive strength of concrete at early ages, both positive and negative influences were identified. In practice, accelerated carbonation treatment is used for curing precast concrete elements that represent 10% of concrete consumption per year. On the other hand, Carbonation of concrete is an inevitable process through which concrete compositions react with Co2. Carbonation is one of the reasons leading to the deterioration of steel-reinforced concrete structures, reducing durability of structures. This process increases cement production for repair and replacement of structures, which causes more carbon dioxide emissions. Conversely, plain concrete is one of the most important materials that can be used in carbon dioxide storage. Therefore, an understanding of the effective parameters of its carbonation is important. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors affecting carbonation. Identifying effective parameters helps design engineers increase carbonation resistance of reinforced concrete structures and increase plain concrete capacity for carbon dioxide storage, which could be both less cost and environmentally friendly. Carbonation in supplementary cementitious concrete is affected by mix design, curing and conditions of environment, mechanical properties effect on carbonation rate, accelerated carbonation process methods and carbonation depth measurement methods. While supplementary cementitious materials improve sustainability they may increase carbonation risk. Accurate measurement methods are essential to enhance durability and performance in sustainable construction carbonation.

Recommended Citation

Ghazy, Mariam Farouk; Abd Elaty, Metwally abd allah; and Abdeljalil, Esraa Samir (2025) "A Comprehensive Review of Carbonation in Supplementary Cementitious Concrete: Factors Affecting, Measurement Methods, and Challenges," Journal of Engineering Research: Vol. 9: Iss. 2, Article 19.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70259/engJER.2025.921958
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/erjeng/vol9/iss2/19