Abstract
In a number of situations reinforced concrete structures must be protected by barrier materials to prevent contact with aggressive agents. One of the ways to protect concrete structures from corrosion is to use protective polymer coatings. Polymers as coating materials are not totally resistant and impermeable to all aggressive agents. Gases, vapors and liquids penetrate into a polymer so that the polymer mass swells and eventually disintegrates. However, the penetration/disintegration progresses at a much lower rate than that in the concrete. Surface coatings are able to reduce considerably the penetration, to slow down the rate of deterioration of concrete cover and to overcome most durability problems associated with external attack. In this article the mechanism of degradation of polymer coatings are analyzed. Methodology and predictive models for the degradation over time caused by aggressive actions of polymer coatings are presented. Proposed models can be applied to design of polymer coatings. Such a design of coatings is presented in a simple form for engineering design purposes.
Highlights
Corrosion is a serious problem for the durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures
Where c is the concentration of aggressive agents; D is diffusion coefficient; k − the rate of chemical reaction; cr − the steady state concentration of fluid; dpc − the thickness of polymer coating
Concrete is a porous material having high gas, vapour and liquid permeability leading to deterioration of reinforced concrete structures
Summary
Corrosion is a serious problem for the durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The barrier coatings of non-degradable materials are to insulate the concrete and steel reinforcement from the surrounding environment and to increase durability of a new structure or extend the service life of an existing one. A serious problem for a structural engineer is in selecting an appropriate polymer material and its formulation for a particular situation and to assess the factors affecting a coating performance over the life of a structure. For this reason it is desirable that theoretical methods should exist. Kamaitis / JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT – 2007, Vol XIII, No 1, 11–17
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