Concrete Corrosion Testing
It is imperative that reinforced structures are tested for concrete corrosion
Table Of Contents
What Is Concrete Corrosion Testing?
Concrete is one of the most common man-made materials in the world, but ironically, it has proven to be a difficult material to test for corrosion. It is imperative that reinforced structures are tested for concrete corrosion to establish not only if concrete is corroding but also at the potential corrosion and the rate that concrete is corroding at. It has extreme importance when considering the damage and risk that concrete corrosion can cause.
How Is Concrete Corrosion Testing Conducted?
Corrosion testing is used to determine the severity of corrosion and the rate at which it is occurring. The most common type of corrosion test is the half-cell potential test, which measures the electrical potential between the steel and the concrete. This test is used to identify areas of corrosion and to determine the rate at which corrosion is occurring.
The half-cell potential test is a reliable method of testing for corrosion in concrete. Accuracy is only affected by a few factors, including the type of concrete, the type of metal electrode, the amount of moisture in the concrete, and the presence of other chemicals in the concrete. Despite these factors, the half-cell potential test is still the best method of testing for corrosion in concrete. It is quick, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive.
With the most advanced measuring instruments, Structural Repairs can perform on site mapping for the potential of corrosion, with advanced reporting on the current state and the future state of concrete.
The latest equipment is a non-intrusive testing method to identify active corrosion of rebars from the electro chemical properties of concrete.
What Other Methods Are There to Test Concrete Corrosion?
One method is to measure the electrical resistivity of the concrete. This can be done by placing electrodes in the concrete and measuring the flow of electricity between them. Another method is to measure the chloride ion content of the concrete. This can be done by taking a sample of the concrete and analysis it in a laboratory. The last method is to measure the carbonation level of the concrete. This can be done by taking a sample of the concrete and measuring the amount of carbon dioxide that has penetrated the concrete.
What Affects The Rate Of Corrosion In Concrete?
There are many variables that can affect the rate of corrosion in concrete, including the type of aggregate used, the amount of water present, the amount of chloride ions, and the level of carbonation.
The type of aggregate used in concrete can affect the rate of corrosion. For example, using limestone or shells in concrete can help to reduce the rate of corrosion. The amount of water present in concrete can also affect the rate of corrosion. If there is too much water, it can cause the concrete to crack, which can allow for water and chloride ions to enter the concrete and cause corrosion.
The amount of chloride ions present can also affect the rate of corrosion. If there are too many chloride ions, it can cause the steel reinforcement to corrode. The level of carbonation can also affect the rate of corrosion. If the concrete is not properly sealed, carbon dioxide can enter the concrete and cause it to become acidic, which can speed up the corrosion process.
What are the different types of corrosion in concrete?
There are many types of corrosion that can affect the steel reinforcement in concrete. The most common is carbonation, which results in the formation of rust. Other types of corrosion include chloride-induced corrosion, sulfate-induced corrosion, and alkali-aggregate reaction.
How can Structural Repairs help?
There are many ways to test concrete for corrosion, but the most common is the use of a concrete corrosion tester. This test is simple, accurate, and rapid, and can be done in the field with little or no disruption to the concrete. The device is placed on the concrete surface and sends an electric current through the concrete. The current will cause the concrete to corrode if there is any metal in the concrete. The tester will then measure the amount of corrosion and provide a report. This will flag any issues that need to remedied and a plan of action can be put in place for any repairs that maybe required.
Structural Repairs are able to not only identify the current conditions of concrete in a non-intrusive and efficient manner. Structural Repairs can also assist you further with any remedial recommendations that we have suggested.
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