ABSTRACT
Since the introduction of relevant standards and codes in industrialized countries, occurrence of internal and external sulfate attack in properly designed, processed and executed concrete is rare. When damage occurs, it is always the consequence of incorrect construction that enables penetration into concrete of aqueous salt solutions needed to initiate and feed the attack. Most of the codified recommendations are based on prescription of maximum values for water-cement ratio, maximum levels of C3A in cement and, in some cases, of minimum cement content and addition of supplementary materials such as selected pozzolanas or slags, or both.
