spalling
Concrete's gradual crumbling
Spalling is the breaking off of fragments from a surface, especially concrete, stone, or metal.
It typically results from moisture infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, corrosion, or impact stress.
The bridge showed severe spalling where salt had corroded the reinforcing steel.
In military contexts, spalling refers to metal fragments thrown from armor when struck by projectiles.
Shedding in layers
- chippingBreaking into fragments
- peelingComing off in strips
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- delaminationSeparation of bonded layers
exfoliation · scaling · pitting · blistering · erosion · decay · disintegration · degradation
Steel strengthening concrete
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
- efflorescenceCrystalline surface deposit
- aggregateCombined sum total
substrate · freeze-thaw · carbonation · honeycombing · reinforcement · curing · hydration · shrinkage
Grinding bowl or binder
- bricksFired clay building units
- stoneworkConstruction using rock
- tuckpointingRepairing masonry joints
- repointingRenewing mortar between bricks
joints · lintel · ashlar · facade · parging · veneer · efflorescence · pointing
Repeated icing and melting
- thermal stressStrain from temperature change
- chemical attackAssault using toxic substances
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- exfoliationShedding surface skin cells
Broken fragments of brittle material
Repairing by covering
- resurfacingComing up again
- sealingMaking impermeable
- bondingForming close connections
- stabilizationProcess of becoming steady
shotcrete · overlay · grinding · scarifying · priming · protective coating · waterproofing
flaking
Shedding in layers
delamination · exfoliation · scaling · pitting · blistering · erosion · decay · disintegration · degradation · fragmentation
rebar
Steel strengthening concrete
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- crackingBreaking without separating completely
- efflorescenceCrystalline surface deposit
aggregate · substrate · freeze-thaw · carbonation · honeycombing · reinforcement · curing · hydration · shrinkage
mortar
Grinding bowl or binder
- bricksFired clay building units
- stoneworkConstruction using rock
- tuckpointingRepairing masonry joints
repointing · joints · lintel · ashlar · facade · parging · veneer · efflorescence · pointing · bedding
freeze-thaw cycles
Repeated icing and melting
- thermal stressStrain from temperature change
- chemical attackAssault using toxic substances
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
shards
Broken fragments of brittle material
particles · rubble · detritus · ejecta · scale · splinters · pieces
patching
Repairing by covering
- resurfacingComing up again
- sealingMaking impermeable
- bondingForming close connections
stabilization · shotcrete · overlay · grinding · scarifying · priming · protective coating · waterproofing
- frictionfriction, rubbing, abrading, friction burn, rolling friction
- damagebreakage, break, crack, fracture, dent
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- brickworkbricks, brick wall, brick walls, brickwork, bricklaying
- building damagestructural collapse, cracked foundation, wall crack, bowing, sagging
- surface damagecracks, rust, cracking, peeling, chipping
spallingaccretion
Growth through external addition
coating · bonding · deposition · consolidation · resurfacing