EFFECTS OF CONCRETE SPECIFICATIONS ON CORROSION OF REINFORCEMENT

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate factors affecting the corrosion rate of reinforcing steel. Specifically, the factors concerned in this study include the specifications of concrete, the exposure period, and the thickness of the concrete cover. The results reveal that the corrosion rate of steel decreases with the increase in the density of the concrete cover. The concrete density increases when using a low water-to-binder ratio and the introduction of fly ash in the concrete mix proportion. Besides, the measured results of corrosion rate also increase in reinforced concrete specimens with low cover thickness and exposure to aggressive conditions for a long period.