Impact of the air-entrained concrete with the blast-furnace slag cement on the intensity of reinforcement corrosion process

The concrete cover has significant impact on the intensity of reinforcement corrosion process in reinforced concrete elements. Depending on the type of corrosion risk different types of cement are recommended for concrete. In conditions of chloride corrosion, due to, for example, the use of de-icing agents in winter, it is recommended to use concrete with cement containing granulated blast-furnace slag. The risk of chloride corrosion due to the use of de-icing agents is often additionally associated with the frost and repeated freezing and thawing actions of structural elements. The liquid freezing in the pores of concrete increases its volume, which causes the increase of internal stresses and leads to cracks in the concrete cover increasing the diffusion of chlorides. In order to reduce this phenomenon the introduction of air-entraining admixture is beneficial. The paper presents the experimental results that allow to determinate the effect of the air-entraining admixture addition on the intensity of reinforcement corrosion in concrete with blast-furnace slag cement. The tests were carried out on two groups of reinforced concrete specimens subjected to freezing and thawing cycles in 3% NaCl solution. One group of specimens was prepared with the airentraining admixture addition and the other without it. The electrochemical tests of the reinforcement corrosion activity, based on the measurements of the corrosion current density were curried. The phase composition by X-ray diffraction and microstructure of concrete under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with the X-ray microanalyser (EDS) were examined. The results allowed to comprehensively assess the effect of airentrained concrete with blast-furnace slag cement on the degree of reinforcement corrosion risk in concrete caused by the simultaneous action of chlorides and frost

Impact of the air-entrained concrete with the blast-furnace slag cement on the intensity of reinforcement corrosion process

The concrete cover has significant impact on the intensity of reinforcement corrosion process in reinforced concrete elements. Depending on the type of corrosion risk different types of cement are recommended for concrete. In conditions of chloride corrosion, due to, for example, the use of de-icing agents in winter, it is recommended to use concrete with cement containing granulated blast-furnace slag. The risk of chloride corrosion due to the use of de-icing agents is often additionally associated with the frost and repeated freezing and thawing actions of structural elements. The liquid freezing in the pores of concrete increases its volume, which causes the increase of internal stresses and leads to cracks in the concrete cover increasing the diffusion of chlorides. In order to reduce this phenomenon the introduction of air-entraining admixture is beneficial. The paper presents the experimental results that allow to determinate the effect of the air-entraining admixture addition on the intensity of reinforcement corrosion in concrete with blast-furnace slag cement. The tests were carried out on two groups of reinforced concrete specimens subjected to freezing and thawing cycles in 3% NaCl solution. One group of specimens was prepared with the airentraining admixture addition and the other without it. The electrochemical tests of the reinforcement corrosion activity, based on the measurements of the corrosion current density were curried. The phase composition by X-ray diffraction and microstructure of concrete under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with the X-ray microanalyser (EDS) were examined. The results allowed to comprehensively assess the effect of airentrained concrete with blast-furnace slag cement on the degree of reinforcement corrosion risk in concrete caused by the simultaneous action of chlorides and frost

Condition assessment of selected reinforced concrete structural elements of the bus station in Kielce

The paper presents the results of the research aimed at assessing the condition of reinforcement and concrete cover in selected elements of the structure of the most recognizable structure in Kielce, i.e. PKS station, located at Czarnowska Street. Currently, demolition works are underway resulting from the planned modernization. The assessment of the corrosion risk of the reinforcement in the construction elements was carried out with the use of a semi-non-destructive electrochemical method. The use of this method made it possible to determine the probability of reinforcement corrosion in the selected areas and to estimate its rate. The protective properties of concrete cover were checked by the carbonation test (test using a 1% phenolphthalein solution) and phase composition analysis (X-ray diffraction analysis). In order to determine the position of the reinforcing bars and to estimate the concrete cover thickness distribution in the areas corresponding to the aforementioned measurements, ferromagnetic detection system was used

Manufacturing Errors of Concrete Cover as a Reason of Reinforcement Corrosion in a Precast Element—Case Study

The article concerns the assessment of technical condition of the precast loggia wall in a large panel building after 25 years of use as well as the cause of its damage. As a result of the study, cracks and losses of the concrete cover were found. Corrosion products were visible on exposed reinforcing rods. The reinforcement distribution and concrete cover thickness in loggia wall were estimated using a rebar detector. The corrosion assessment of reinforcement was performed using a semi non-destructive galvanostatic pulse method that allows the location of areas of corrosion and estimate the reinforcement corrosion activity. The phase composition of the concrete cover was analyzed. The test results showed an insufficient thickness of the concrete cover as the main cause of loggia wall damage. The research indicated that manufacturing errors made in the prefabrication plants affect the technical condition of precast elements and may lead to the damage of the structure well before the expected of its service life. In the case of manufacturing errors causing the implementation of an element with a concrete cover that does not meet the standard requirements for thickness and tightness, it is recommended to use protective coatings to increase the element’s durability to the designed level