Marinas, Piers, Docks

A structure exposed to seawater or seawater spray is most vulnerable in the tidal or splash zone where there are repeated cycles of wetting and drying. The concrete in these structures is also exposed to substances and chemicals that can cause deterioration.

Marinas, piers and docks are prone to attacks from calcium hydroxide, chloride ion and the like. Excessive amounts of sulphates in soil or water can destroy concrete that is not properly designed and treated.

These sulphates (for example, calcium sulphate, sodium sulphate and magnesium sulphate) attack concrete by reacting with hydrated compounds in the hardened cement paste.These reactions can induce sufficient pressure to disrupt the cement paste, resulting in disintegration of the concrete (loss of paste cohesion and strength).