The Impact of Climate Change and Carbonation on the Durability of Concrete Structures in Afghanistan

Abstract

Infrastructure plays an important role in human settlements, offering essential facilities such as buildings, transportation and other necessary systems. However, the impacts of climate change, whether direct or indirect, create various challenges for human settlements and ecosystems. This study investigates the dual impact of climate change and carbonation on the durability of concrete structures in Afghanistan. The durability of reinforced concrete is significantly affected by the corrosion of steel reinforcement, and carbonation is the main factor causing corrosion of steel bars in concrete. With shifting climate patterns influencing environmental conditions, this study aims to analyze how these changes contribute to the carbonation process in concrete and the results will contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by climate-driven changes and carbonation, thereby providing the basis for necessary measures to minimize the environmental impacts. To facilitate this investigation, (75x75x75mm) concrete cubes were prepared and after 28 days of curing in laboratory conditions, the specimens were exposed in four different regions: Afghanistan, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia. The carbonation depths were measured at the ages of 6 months and one year. Considering the environmental and climatic conditions of all mentioned regions, despite Kabul's lower humidity and temperature, the carbonation was still significant compared to the other regions. This substantial carbonation poses a threat to structures, emphasizing the need for special attention in the design phase to ensure resilience against climate-induced challenges.