Desalination of concrete sculptures on the Battle of the Nations

Abstract eng:
The Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal) in Leipzig is in large parts made out of concrete. The inner dome roof is decorated with 342 cavalier sculptures of tamped concrete. The reliefs show severe damages as a result of the presence of moisture and salts. Binder elution and the corrosion of the armour owing to concrete carbonation are further damages. X-ray diffraction characterisation of efflorescences shows mainly sodium sulphate with high damaging potential. Surface deposits were analysed as calcite (CaCO3). The composition of historical concrete samples, determined by chemical analysis show a binder-to-aggregate relation of 1:4 wt-%. Microscopy investigations of polished thin sections show a high pore volume. For the conservation of the precious historical tamped concrete cavalier sculptures, the soluble salts were reduced by a threefold application of a bentonite-cellulose poultice. The desalination actions were examined by chemical concrete analyses showing a clearly detectable effective desalination of near surface concrete parts.

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