Evaluation of parameters influencing reinforcement corrosion by means of a strain gauge technique

Abstract

A number of applications selected with variations of factors affecting the corrosion of mortar steel reinforcements are discussed in this paper. Corrosion estimation by means of a strain gauge (SG) technique was used in several cases to confirm the validity of the method. The efficiency of corrosion inhibitors, the protection offered by the addition of minerals, the curing time influence, and the corrosion resistance of various steel types can be estimated by means of the short term SG test technique. Good correlations were found in all cases of application between the corrosion rates computed from SG technique and the mass loss data. Additionally, the method was applied for swelling measurements of mortar specimens caused by the degradation of FRP reinforcements in the corrosive environments.