IRFAN ALI ABRO

ROLL#MM 10

CORROSION IN
CONCRETE
 TECHNICAL TERMS

AGGREGATES: They are comprise of granular materials like limestone, dolomite,

gravel, silica etc. They contain salts such as Sulfates, chlorides and carbonates of
calcium, magnesium and sodium.

ADMIXTURES: They are inorganic or organic materials that are added during
mixing to improve properties. Such as Setting and hardening characteristics.

WATER CEMENT RATIO: The low water cement ratio is necessary for the
production of high strength cement. Compressive strength and density of concrete is
strongly influenced by water cement ratio.
 INTRODUCTION

Reinforced concrete is a composite material of steel embedded in

a hardened concrete.

It is a durable material that can be deformed into different shapes.

In order to insure composite action between the steel and

concrete, proper or full bond should be provided.
 INTRODUCTION

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is a major problem

influencing the long term performance of reinforced concrete
structures.
It occurs due to attacks of aggressive agents.

Chlorides ions Chloride

from marine Deicing Salt contaminated
environment aggregates
 INTRODUCTION

Reinforcement steel in concrete is normally protected by passive

layer formed at steel.
In the presence of chlorides and other causing agents, protective
layer is destroyed.

Fig. 1 Protective layer present around the steel bar in an alkaline medium.
 Passivity and De-passivation

Passivity
High pH leading to formation of passive layer
Chemical binding of chlorides
Dense and impermeable structure of concrete

Depassivation
Chloride ingress
Carbonation
 MECHANISM

Fig. 2 Mechanism of corrosion in concrete

Fig. 3 Corrosion in concrete

VOLUMETRIC CHANGE
FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION

Steel Temperature Permeability

Alkali
Concrete Aggregate
FACTORS
Resistivity Reaction

Moisture
Oxygen
Diffusion
FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION

Steel

Metals corrode faster that others.

Thick structural sections are more susceptible to corrosive

attack that thin because variation in physical
characteristics.
FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION

Permeability

It is mainly determined by porosity and pore size distribution

which are dependent on ratio of W/C.

Fig. 4 A permeable concrete structure where corrosion inhibitors are applied.

FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION

Alkali
Aggregate
Reaction

Cracking and stresses due to formation of Na and K oxides.

Fig. 5 Alkali Aggregate Reaction

FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION

Moisture
Cracking and spalling occur.

Fig. 3 Accumulation of moisture at the sealing of a ware house.

FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION
FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION
FACTORS EFFECTING CORROSION
CAUSES OF CORROSION IN CONCRETE

CAUSES

Carbonation Chlorination

Reduction of Chlorides
Alkalinity penetrates
protective layer

Destruction
of Passive
Layer
CORROSION
CAUSES OF CORROSION IN CONCRETE

Carbonation CO2 gas dissolves in pore water

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O
Reduction in pH (up to 8.5)
Passive film dissolves.

Fig. 6 CO2 diffuses inside the concrete, react with calcium hydroxide to form CaCO3.
CAUSES OF CORROSION IN CONCRETE

Chlorination
Cl ion can penetrate through film.
Break passive film
Pitting corrosion

Fig. 7 Cl- ions attack

EFFECT OF CORROSION ON CONCRETE

Corrosion

Degradation of metals by chemical reaction with their environment

Deterioration of physical properties of material

Loss of cross sectional area

Weakening of material
EFFECT OF CORROSION ON CONCRETE

Corrosion

Formation of corrosion product

Substantial volume increase

Expensive stresses are induced

Cracking, Spalling, Loss of bond between steel/concrete

EFFECTS OF CORROSION ON CONCRETE

Reduction Spalling,
Strength
Pitting of Bond Failure,
Loss
Strength Cracking
EFFECTS OF CORROSION ON CONCRETE
 PROTECTION

PROTECTIONS

Corrosion Cathodic
Inhibitors Protection

Sacrificial Impressed
Anode Current
Protective
Coatings
 PROTECTION

Protective
Coatings

Protective coatings for reinforcing steel are of two types:

Anodic coatings (e.g., zinc-coated steel) very limited use due
to concern regarding the long-term durability.

Barrier coatings (e.g., epoxy-coated steel), long-time

performance of epoxy-coated rebars is still under
investigation in many countries.
 PROTECTION

Cathodic
Protection

Sacrificial
Anode

Galvanization of Steel
Dip steel sheet in molten zinc. Get a pretty thin coating.
Zinc will be anode. Steel exposed by crack is the cathode.
Since we have a huge anode having to be served by a small
cathode, corrosion rate will be slow.
 PROTECTION

Impressed
Current

By imposing a voltage which causes electrons to flow

towards the object to be protected, we make it less anodic
and protect it from corrosion damage.
 CONCLUSION

Concrete should be impermeable Oxygen and CO2 barrier. .

To maintain oxide film pH, should be > 12

Temperature should be low.

Physical bond should be stable between steel/concrete.

END