Analysis of Concrete by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

The necessity to establish the causes or factors that influence the deterioration of concrete by the environment or the service conditions where it is built is of utmost importance in the durability of concrete structures. The objective of the study is to expose the vibrational spectroscopy, based on the absorption of infrared radiation by the components of the matter in question, as a reliable technique to support the forensic study. By this method chemical substances can be identified by spectral comparison with a database or library that can be made with a known material of the same type. The information presented is part of an investigation on the durability of reinforced concrete specimens exposed to different environments in Panama, also subjected to physicochemical tests, scanning electron microscopy and others. The methodology used is an experimental type research. A bibliographic review of the presented method applied to the concrete or its components was carried out, complementing it with observations on the samples and finally the testing applications in the laboratories of the Technological University of Panama and the Smithsonian Panama. The results are presented by tables, individual spectra and superimposed or relative spectra thrown in each exposed case. We conclude that the method is applicable as a complement to existing techniques.