Title: Advanced Methods of Corrosion Measurement in Real Concrete Structures

Author(s): C. Andrade and I. Martinez

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 229

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 151-164

Keywords: corrosion; electrochemical techniques; in-situ values; polarization resistance

DOI: 10.14359/14734

Date: 9/1/2005

Abstract:
It is recognized that reinforcement corrosion is the main distress behind the present concern regarding concrete durability. In spite of the numerous papers published on the subject, relatively few are devoted to the development of in-situ measurement techniques in general, and even less to the measurement of corrosion. However, it is known that it is important to obtain an accurate (non-destructive) in-situ identification of the zones suffering corrosion, and it is necessary to appraise the importance of this corrosion, that is, the loss in cross section and the rate of its progress. Corrosion measurement techniques are needed for identifying corroding zones, predicting the rate of corrosion of reinforcement, predicting the residual life of the structure and monitoring the efficiency of repair systems. A review is made of existing in-situ techniques, and of recent developments of new techniques, including application examples in reinforced structures. Thus, descriptions are provided for methods based on the measurement of polarization resistance using modulated confinement of the current, the use of permanent embedded sensors and the determination of the passivity state in structures cathodically protected. Comments are also provided on the needed treatment of their results with the expected evolution and integration over time to account for changes due to climatic conditions in the environment surrounding the concrete structure.