Abstract
Cracks greatly impact the durability of concrete structures due to their influence on the migration of chloride ions and the corrosion process of steel bars. This study investigates the effects of transverse cracks on chloride diffusion and the corrosion behavior of two types of steel bars (low carbon steel and corrosion resistant steel) in fly ash concrete with 1 kg/m3 solution-polymerized super absorbent polymer. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to monitor the chloride-induced corrosion behavior of steel bars in concrete. The chloride profile around cracks was tested via chemical titration. The corrosion products diffusion area was photographed and measured to evaluate the influences of cracks on the corrosion degree of steel bars. Transverse cracks greatly influence the chloride ion transport. When their width is less than 0.15 mm, cracks exert little influence on both chloride diffusion and steel corrosion. When the crack width exceeds 0.15 mm, the chloride ion transmission coefficient is significantly improved and steel corrosion is accelerated. However, when the crack width exceeds 0.20 mm, this effect is gradually weakened. Based on the experimental data, a quantitative relationship between the crack width and the chloride ion transmission coefficient in electric acceleration was established.
Highlights
Reinforced concrete is widely used for marine engineering structures due to its excellent mechanical properties [1], simple construction, and low cost [2]
The results showed that the critical chloride value for this type of steel is higher than for ordinary steel bars, implying a better anti-corrosion property of galvanized steel bars
The corrosion process of two types of reinforcing steel (low carbon (LC) steel bars and corrosion resistant (CR) steel bars) in concrete are studied under different crack conditions
Summary
Reinforced concrete is widely used for marine engineering structures due to its excellent mechanical properties [1], simple construction, and low cost [2]. Studying the influences of cracks on the ion diffusion and steel corrosion in concrete is of great significance for the prediction of the durability and service life of marine concrete structures. Much research has investigated the effect of crack width on concrete, few studies have investigated the influences of the crack width on the entire life time of concrete structures (including chloride ions ingress and steel corrosion process). The effects of transverse cracks on chloride diffusion and the corrosion behavior of two types of steel bars (low carbon steel and corrosion resistant steel) in fly ash concrete are investigated. The corrosion process of two types of reinforcing steel (low carbon (LC) steel bars and corrosion resistant (CR) steel bars) in concrete are studied under different crack conditions. The effects of crack width and steel types are analyzed, which can help to understand the damage process in reinforced concrete
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