Field Evaluation of Marine Structures Containing Calcium Nitrite

Abstract

A field study of corrosion of reinforcing bars in existing concrete pier structures is presented in this paper. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of calcium nitrite for combating corrosion in marine structures. Five sites were selected for field evaluation of reinforcement corrosion in cooperation with the Harbors Division of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. The concrete for each of these sites included a calcium nitrite-based admixture as a corrosion inhibitor. Each site was tested for permeability, chloride ion concentration, half-cell potential, polarization resistance, and pH. Corrosion activity identified by half-cell potential measurements, polarization resistance measurements, and visual inspection of bars taken from cores indicated that high dosages of calcium nitrite, 19.8 to 22.3 L/m³, provided the steel with significantly greater protection than lower dosages, 12.4 L/m³. This occurred despite the fact that the sites with higher dosages were older and usually more permeable than the structures with lower dosages.