PD CEN/TR 16142:2011 PDF Download

The PD CEN/TR 16142:2011 standard provides a method for studying the leaching behavior of hardened concrete in the natural environment. It outlines procedures for determining the controlling mechanisms and effective diffusion coefficients of leached components, as well as their cumulative release behavior over time. The standard includes two test procedures: a potential or availability test for pulverized specimens, and a diffusion test for monolithic specimens. While the standard does not provide analytical procedures for analyzing the leachates, it emphasizes that the information obtained from the method is quantitative. However, without reference data for other construction materials or compliance criteria, the results obtained from this method cannot be used to assess the environmental quality or compatibility of the concrete, unless the leached concentrations are below the analytical limits of detection. It should be noted that this method can be used for characterizing the leaching behavior of concrete under various exposure conditions, although a separate standard test method is likely to be developed for the extraction of mineral micropollutants. The standard also mentions that analytical procedures for determining component concentrations in leachates are being developed by another CEN committee.