Organofunctional Silane Inhibitor Surface Treatment of Concrete for Corrosion

Abstract

With increased attention to service life, bridge decks are now being designed to perform for 75 to more than 100 years without major repairs. In areas where deicing salts are used, sustainable and cost-effective solutions utilize concretes with a water-to-cementitious material ratio (w/cm) less than 0.40, concrete cover over the reinforcement greater than or equal to 2 in., and additional corrosion protection measures, such as corrosion-resistant reinforcement or corrosion inhibitors. Concretes with a w/cm less than 0.40 require higher cement contents and can be more susceptible to cracking, even with the use of supplementary cementitious materials. This paper discusses 3 years of accelerated corrosion test data on an alternative solution that could utilize more moderate cementitious levels but still reduce chloride ingress and potentially raise chloride threshold levels for corrosion initiation by applying a low surface tension organofunctional silane inhibitor to the surface before exposure to chloride.