The Role of Chemistry in History

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Damage

April 28th, 2008 · 7 Comments ·

Introduction to Concrete | Analysis of CaCO3 | Concrete Affects History | Industrial Development | Calcium Carbonate Accomplishments | Damage | History Affects CaCO3: Future of Concrete

 

The Ugly Side of CaCO3

  • Over the years, concrete has been responsible for a large amount of mishaps, due to the damage that can accumulate with its usage, such as cracks, fires, and chemical corrosion. Disaster can occur once a significant amount of damage is done. In this way, calcium carbonate affects history in a negative way, as it can destroy just as much as it can create.
  • Bacterial Damage – Bacteria can produce hydrogen sulfide, which oxidizes into the corrosive sulfuric acid, harming the surface of concrete. However, calcium carbonate in limestone can make the concrete more acid resistant.
  • Chemical Damage – The over use of substances that contain too much acid, such as sulfates, chlorates, and certain carbonates increase the pH of the concrete and can lead to cracking and dissolving. This is a serious issue with construction, as too much damage can cause a building to collapse.
  • Sea Water Damage – A particularly harmful effect on concrete structures is the erosion that occurs when it comes into contact with running water, such as bridges, where over the years, a bridge can collapse because of the amount of undersea damage sustained. Damage can be done to cars, people could get hurt, and traffic would be insane in an event such as this.

The Ugly sight of what can happen when concrete suspensions fail due to structural damage, built up over time.
new_york_times_bridge_collapse_minn.jpg

Conclusion: Damage leads to disasters, disasters greatly affect history.

http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2007/minneapolis_bridge/minneapolis_bridge_01.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete

Tags: Calcium Carbonate