Effects of Marine Water on Concrete and its Mitigation Measures

In spite of the extreme sea conditions, concrete structures in marine locations are prone to corrosion and disintegration. The structural integrity and longevity of the concrete can be jeopardized by reinforcing corrosion, cracking, and spalling caused by sulfate attack, ingress of chloride ions, and other chemical attacks. Innovative ways to lessen the impacts of marine attack on concrete have been developed as a result of recent developments in materials science and concrete technology. The use of supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) has shown to be a very successful tactic for boosting concrete's resistance to maritime erosion. SCMs like fly ash, slag, and silica fume can be added to concrete to strengthen its resistance to chemical assault, limit the entry of hostile ions, and refine the pore structure of the material. Furthermore, there has been encouraging progress in prolonging the service life of concrete structures in maritime environments by the application of fiber- reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, highly corrosion-resistant reinforcing materials, and electro-chemical rehabilitation procedures. To show how various mitigation techniques are really used in practice, a case study is provided. Fly ash significantly boosts marine concrete durability by reducing corrosion and limiting chloride penetration in micro-cracked specimens. This offers a sustainable, cost-effective method to extend the service life of coastal structures, providing essential insights for engineers.