Chloride ion penetrability and corrosion behavior of steel in concrete with sustainability characteristics

Abstract

1 April 2011 As a contributive strategy in the sustainability concrete industry, the durability improving of reinforced concrete structures is currently investigated, as well as the partial or total replacement of its components for recycled materials. For the steel bars, the corrosion is the principal problem of durability in reinforced concrete. Coarse Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA), Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCM) byproducts of industrial processes such as fly ash and silica fume were used to produce concrete with sustainability characteristics and for the evaluation of its behavior when it is exposed to chlorides. From the resulting test specimens: electrical resistivity, resistance to charge transfer and resistance to chloride ion penetration, were determined; these parameters specify the minimum necessary properties for concretes, according to regulations, to guarantee their durability when they are exposed to chlorides. The results obtained concluded that the concrete manufactured with 100% RCA and SCM, improves its performance in durability compared with those of conventional concrete.