Title Evaluation of Carbonation Depth in Concrete Using the Core-Drilling Test Method and Comparative Analysis with Conventional Methods
Authors 이혁주(Lee, Hyeog-Ju) ; 한민철(Han, Min-Cheol)
DOI https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.4.385
Page pp.385-394
ISSN 2733-6247
Keywords Concrete Carbonation; Coring; Core-Drilling; Drilling
Abstract This study proposes a core-drilling method to enhance both the accuracy and speed of measuring carbonation depth in concrete, overcoming the low speed of the coring method and the low accuracy of the drilling method. Concrete specimens were tested using coring, core-drilling, and drilling methods, and the results were analyzed and verified through microstructural examinations. The core-drilling method showed carbonation depths similar to coring, attributed to the use of a core bit size unaffected by coarse aggregate and a dust collection device that minimized aggregate interference and dust effects. In contrast, the drilling method produced greater depths, likely due to coarse aggregate and dust influence under identical carbonation conditions and mix proportions. Standard deviation analysis indicated that core-drilling achieved precision comparable to coring, whereas drilling showed larger deviations across all binder types. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed carbonation through Ca(OH)₂ decomposition and CaCO3 formation. However, some drilling samples classified as carbonated contained residual Ca(OH)2, indicating possible boundary errors. Correlation analysis demonstrated a stronger relationship between core-drilling and coring than with drilling, suggesting that the proposed method can match the accuracy of coring while enabling rapid carbonation depth evaluation without additional processing.