ABSTRACT
It is generally believed that the rate of neutralization becomes slower when a concrete wall is exposed to rain because CO2 diffusion into concrete is suppressed. However, rain is usually acid. In this situation, neutralization may proceed faster. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the influence of acid rain on the neutralization process in a concrete wall. An experiment was carried out where neutralization took place by absorption of an acid solution. Next, an analytical model was proposed to predict the neutralization process coupled with heat and moisture transfer, particularly emphasizing liquid movement. The proposed analytical model was validated by a comparison with the experimental results. As a result of simulations using the proposed model, it was found that neutralization is accelerated by acid rain when rain penetrates and evaporates rapidly.
