Crack detection inside concrete based on electrical specific resistivity monitoring in drying process

Abstract

The periodical inspection or real-time monitoring is one of the important tools in order to maintain the performance of reinforced concrete properly and reliably. Especially port concrete structures are inevitably deteriorated by chloride induced corrosion be-cause of high chloride and humid environments. Here, corrosion of steel bars is often observed in port concrete structures, resulting in degradation of structural performance. Especially the generation of cracks due to steel corrosion in concrete is promoting much severer deterioration. Therefore, the detection of crack generation in port concrete structures is one of the most important targets of inspection or monitoring methods. Considering above backgrounds the authors started the investigation of real-time monitoring systems considering outer environmental effects such as temperature and humidity changes based on real-time monitoring of electrochemical measurements. In the investigation, the authors found out the possibility of the monitoring method of crack detection based on specific resistivity of concrete. From above, the purpose of this study was set to establish a real-time monitoring method of crack detection due to steel corrosion in port concrete structures induced by chloride attack. As a result of this study, there were possibilities that the crack propagations in concrete due to steel corrosion could be detected by evaluating the Rate of Specific Resistivity Change (RSRC) considering the effect of temperature, relative humidity, and the wet/dry condition in outer environments.