EFFECTS OF CORROSION ON CONCRETE MIRZA SAJJAD HUSSAIN (19L-1770) UZAIR JAVED (19L-1771) INTRODUCTION ASTM terminology defines corrosion as the chemical_or electrochemical reaction berwwen a material usually a metal ‘and its environment that produces a deterioration of the material ‘and its properties. For corrosion of steel, oxygen and moisture are required for the electrochemical reaction to occur. Corrosion results in the formation of rust that has two to four times the volume of the original steel Corrosion also produces pits or holes in the surface of reinforcing steel reducing strength capacity as a result, of the reduced cross-sectional area. WHY IS CORROSION OF STEEL A CONCERN? Reinforced concrete isa versatile, economical and successful construction material worldwide It is used more than any other man made material with approximately 12 billion tones being manufactured annually. Reinforced concrete uses reinforcing steel where tensile stresses are anticipated. This provides structural capacity to members subjected to tensile and flexural stresses due to different types of loads. When reinforcement corrodes, the larger volume of rust formed leads to intemal” stresses and subsequent delamination and spalling of the concrete cover. Reduction in the cross sectional area of steel reduces the structural capacity of the member. If left unchecked, the integrity ofthe structure can be affected. Bea When steel in concrete corrodes it dissolves into the pore ‘water and gives up electrons, (The anodic reaction): Fe ——+ Fe" +26 There must be another chemical reaction to consume these electrons the steel surface to preserve electrical neutrality. This is a reaction that consumes water and oxygen, (the cathodic reaction). 2e +H,0 +0, The chemical reactions are the same whether corrosion ‘occurs by chloride attack or carbonation, Ferrous hydroxide becomes ferric hydroxide and then hydrated ferric oxide or rust. PAeRtain nas aes aaa) RS se ee FET TOW = Fe(OH), Frou ron Fe(OH), © ©, + 24,0 = AH Fav ern 2H), = FesO}-HyO + 2440 Hyde ood (a) he anodic cathodic and oidation and hydration reactions for corroding el Relaive volume ofvon and is oxides from Mansfeld Corrosion, 1981, 3715 STIMU NRSC NRO oSES Concrete is alkaline, opposite of acidity. Metals corrode in acids; can be protected from corrosion by alkalis. There are ‘microscopic pores which contain high concentrations of soluble calcium, sodium and potassium oxides. These form hydroxides, which are very alkaline, when water is present, these create a very alkaline condition of pH 12-13. This condition leads to a “passive” layer forming on the steel surface which is dense, impenetrable film, and prevents further corrosion of the steel by slowing rate of oxidation (corrosion). This layer is part metal oxide/hydroxide and part ‘mineral from the cement, This passive layer is not always maintained, Two conditions can break down this layer without attacking the concrete. First one is carbonation and the other is chloride attack, SOUR Re ky RUE enn) Chlorides can be from external sources for concrete exposed to severe environments, like sea water or when deicing salts are applied; or from intemal sources, primarily from materials used to make conerete. Carbonation source is atmospheric carbon dioxide which reacts with lime in the concrete to form calcium carbonate. This reaction reduces the alkalinity of the concrete that protects the steel. When the pH at the level of the reinforcing steel falls below 9, corrosion begins. Chioride-induced corrosion is more common than that resulting from carbonation. Corrosion is aggravated by factors including moisture, high temperatures, cracking, stray currents and galvanic effects Evaluate the anticipated exposure of concrete members and establish appropriate requirements, ‘Use good quality conerete with SCM and wie ratio of about 0.40, when chlorine will be exposed to Chlorides. Provide adequate cover to reinforcing steel Ensure that Concrete is adequately cured, Use special coated rebar's like Cement-Polymer Composite Coated Rebar's (CPC), Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coated Rebar's (FBEC), Corrosion Resistant Steel Deformed. Rebar's (CRSD)