The Study of Half-cell Potential Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete in Marine Environment

Abstract

Corrosion of reinforcement in concrete affects the strength and durability of reinforced concrete structure. Monitoring and maintenance of concrete structure throughout the service life prevent the ingress of corrosion at the initial stage. Half-cell potential meter was developed and fabricated to monitor the corrosion potential of reinforcement in a M25 grade concrete. Half-cell potential test and accelerated corrosion test has been carried out in marine environment of 3.5% of NaCl solution. The potential behaviour of specimen subjected to accelerated corrosion is studied throughout the test period. The results were obtained in terms of current flow behaviour and weight loss. Obtained results has been analyzed graphically and a comparative analysis has been carried out to know the rate of corrosion occurred in the specimen by accelerated corrosion test and half-cell potential test. Obtained results clearly indicates that the potential behaviour value increases with increase in time from 160 mV on day 1 to 949 mV on day 5. In the other way the compressive strength value for corroded specimen is lesser than the controlled specimen subjected to accelerated corrosion.