Semi-empirical prediction model of chloride-induced corrosion rate in uncracked reinforced concrete exposed to a marine environment

Abstract

Chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement in uncracked concrete was simulated by a test method combining an artificial-natural diffusion test (ANDT) and an accelerated chloride migration test (ACMT). The electrochemical kinetics of the corrosion process were evaluated by linear polarization resistance (LPR), weak polarization technology (WPT) and Tafel test, which indicates that the corrosion process is mainly under anodic control. Based on the hypothesis of anodic diffusion control, a semi-empirical prediction model for the corrosion rate in reinforced concrete has been proposed. This model reflects the effects of concrete resistivity, chloride content, chloride diffusion coefficient and concrete cover thickness on the corrosion rate. It also provides a non-destructive method to evaluate the corrosion rate of steel bars in uncracked concrete, which makes it convenient and available to the engineering community.