A dominant deterioration mechanism in marine environments, where airborne salt reaches structures well back from the shore. Mid-century reinforced concrete framed buildings near the coast are particularly exposed.
Related terms
- SpallingConcrete breaking away as the embedded steel reinforcement corrodes and expands.
- CarbonationReaction of atmospheric carbon dioxide with concrete, reducing its alkalinity.
- Hygroscopic saltsSalts in masonry that absorb atmospheric moisture, producing damp readings and staining after the original source is gone.
Seeing this in your building?
The free diagnostic works out the mechanism from what you can see and measure, and tells you what it cannot conclude.