CE 59700-190

Fundamentals of Steel Corrosion in Concrete

Lab Report

Lab #6 and #7 Chloride Diffusion

By: Manuel Salmerón

Spring 2023
Introduction:

Chloride diffusion is a critical parameter that affects the durability and service life of concrete
structures, particularly in environments where chloride ions are present, such as marine or
deicing salt exposure. Measurement of chloride diffusion is essential for evaluating the potential
for chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement steel in concrete. Two commonly used methods
for measuring chloride diffusion in concrete are the rapid migration procedure (RMP) and the
rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT).

The rapid migration procedure (RMP) is a non-destructive test that measures the rate of chloride
ion migration through concrete. It involves applying an electrical potential difference across a
concrete specimen and monitoring the migration of chloride ions through the specimen. The rate
of migration is used to determine the chloride diffusion coefficient, which is a measure of how
easily chloride ions move through the concrete. RMP is widely used due to its simplicity and
speed, making it suitable for routine quality control testing and field applications. In this
laboratory report, we will discuss the principles, procedure, and interpretation of RMP for
measuring chloride diffusion in concrete.

On the other hand, the rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) is a standardized test that
measures the ability of chloride ions to penetrate through concrete under an electrical potential
gradient. It involves applying a voltage across a concrete specimen submerged in a chloride
solution and measuring the amount of charge passed through the specimen over time. The charge
passed is used to calculate the electrical conductivity of the concrete, which is correlated to the
chloride diffusion coefficient. RCPT is widely used in research and practice to evaluate the
chloride permeability of concrete and assess its resistance to chloride ingress. In this laboratory
report, we will discuss the principles, procedure, and interpretation of RCPT for measuring
chloride diffusion in concrete.

Experimental Program:

1. Rapid Migration Procedure (NT build 492-CTH)/AASHTO T357

For this experiment, a 2-in. concrete slice (previously cut and vacuumed by the staff) was used.
The specimen was exposed to a 10% NaCl catholyte solution and a 0.3N NaOH anolyte solution.
The cathode should be connected to the negative pole of the power supply, and the anode to the
positive one.

Once the setup is assembled, turn the power on and pre-set the potential to 30V or 60V
depending if the NT Build 492 or AASHTO T 357 will be performed. Record the initial current
and follow the resetting procedure according to Tables 1 and 2 depending on the followed
procedure.

Lab Report for CE 59700-190 Lab #5 and #6: Chloride Diffusion Page 1
Disassemble the setup, rinse the specimen and split it in two halves. Spray 0.1M silver nitrate
solution on the split cylinder and measure the revealed penetration depth at 10 mm intervals
starting 10 mm from the edge to obtain at least 5 depths.

2. Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (AASHTO T277 and ASTM C1202)

Here, the specimens are the top 2+/-1/8 in. slices from 4-in. diameter cast cylinders. The
specimens must be treated with hot water, dried, and had one of its faces epoxy-coated before
starting the experiment. Once it is ready, it should be placed into a vacuum desiccator and
vacuumed for 3 hours.

Once the specimen is prepared, the cell can be assembled. The non-coated face of the specimens
should be covered with an impermeable material. The cell containing the top surface of the
specimen must be filled with 3.0% NaCl solution and connected to the negative terminal of the
power supply. The other half should be filled with 0.3 NaOH solution and connected to the
positive terminal. See the assembled cell in Figure 1. Start the experiment with 60 +/- 0.1 V
potential and record the initial reading. Read and record the current every 30 minutes for 6 hours.
The power supply used for the experiment is shown in Figure 2.

Manuel Salmerón 2
 Figure 1. Assembled cell for the rapid chloride permeability test.

Figure 2. Power supply for the rapid chloride permeability test.

Results and Discussion:

1. Rapid Migration Procedure (NT build 492-CTH)/AASHTO T357

a) Calculate the diffusion coefficient of concrete using the equations given below:

RT x d −α √ x d
Dnssm = ⋅ (1)
zFE t

U −2
E= (2)
L

Lab Report for CE 59700-190 Lab #5 and #6: Chloride Diffusion Page 3
 √ ( )
RT −1 2c d
α =2 ⋅erf 1− (3)
zFE co

where:

D nssm =¿ non-steady state migration coefficient, m 2 /s

z=¿ absolute value of ion valence; for chloride, z=1;
4 J
F=¿ Faraday constant, F=9.648 ×10 ;
V −mol
U =¿ absolute value of the applied potential, V;
J
R=¿ gas constant, R=8.314 ;
K −mol
T =¿ average value of the initial and final temperatures in the anolyte solution, K;
L=¿ thickness of the specimen, m;
x d =¿ average value of the penetration depths, m;
t=¿ test duration, s;
−1
erf ¿ inverse error function;
c d =¿ chloride concentration at which the color changes, cd = 0.07N for OPC concrete;
c o =¿ chloride concentration in the catholyte solution, co = 2N.

After performing the calculations with Matlab (see Figure 3), the following values were
obtained:

E=160V /m
1/ 2
α =0.0323 m

Dnssm =2.9425 ×10−11 m2 / s

Figure 3. Matlab code to calculate E , α , and D nssm.

Manuel Salmerón 4
2. Rapid Chloride Permeability

(a) Plot the current ( A ) versus time ( s).

0.8

0.6

0.4

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2

4
10
Figure 4. Current ( A ) vs. time ( s).

Total charge passed:

4
Q=1.2261 ×10 C

The used diameter was 4 in., thus:

Qs =Q4 × ( ) 3.75 2
4
4
=1.077 6 ×10 C

(b) Comparison with the values obtained from the instrument (3.75 in. diameter):

Q from Q from
Time (min)
instrument (A) integration (A)
0 36 0
30 616 552
60 1 368 1 209
90 2 211 1 942
120 3 114 2 731
150 4 070 3 563
180 5 069 4 434
210 6 078 5 327
240 7 133 6 251

Lab Report for CE 59700-190 Lab #5 and #6: Chloride Diffusion Page 5
 270 8 273 7 251
300 9 498 8 333
330 10 838 9 494
360 12 387 10 776
(c) Using the initial current, calculate the resistivity, ρ, of the concrete as described in class. In
addition, calculate the diffusion coefficient using Equations 6 and 7 (Bentur, Diamond, and
Berke, 1997).

Conductance can be calculated from Ohm’s law and the total charge in the whole time interval:

∫ I (t ) dt Qs −1
G= = =176.60 Ω
V V

Thus, the resistivity is:

ρ=
RA A
= =
3.75 2
2
π ( )
=0.0 0 312 k Ω−cm
L GL G(1.96)

And the diffusion coefficients:

Deff ( ρ )=54.6× 10 ( ρ ) =1.8515× 10−4 c m2 /s

−8 −1.01

Deff ( Q4 )=0.0103 ×10−8 ( Q−1.01

4 )=2. 8002 ×10−7 c m2 /s
(d) Compare these diffusion coefficient values with the values obtained from the CTH
experiment.

Test Diffusion coefficient m2 /s

Chloride migration 2.9425 ×10
−11

Rapid chloride permeability, ρ 1.8516 ×10−8

Rapid chloride permeability, Q4 2.8002 ×10
−11

(e) Use Table 3 (below) to evaluate the quality of the concrete you tested.

Manuel Salmerón 6
The passed charge was 12 261 C, which translates into a high chloride ion penetrability based on
Table 3.

Summary and Conclusions:

Based on the results obtained from the laboratory tests conducted using the rapid migration
procedure (AASHTO T357) and the rapid chloride permeability test (AASHTO T277), the
following conclusions can be drawn:

For the Rapid Migration Procedure (AASHTO T357), the chloride diffusion coefficient
determined from the rapid migration procedure was found to be 2.9425 ×10−11 m2 / s. For the
Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (AASHTO T277), two different expressions were used. When
an expression involving the total current passed through the concrete was used, the calculated
chloride diffusion coefficient was 2.8002 ×10−11 m2 / s. However, when an expression involving
the concrete resistivity was used, a higher value of 1.8516 ×10−8 m2 /s was obtained.

Usually, chloride diffusion coefficient values have a magnitude of ×10−12 m2 /s . Hence, the
results from both tests indicate that the concrete sample has a relatively high chloride diffusion
coefficient, which is consistent with the outcome from Table 3. However, it should be noted that
the different expressions used in the rapid chloride permeability test yielded different results,
indicating the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate method and interpretation for
calculating the chloride diffusion coefficient in concrete testing. Further analysis and comparison
with relevant standards or specifications may be required for a comprehensive assessment of the
concrete sample's chloride diffusion properties.

Lab Report for CE 59700-190 Lab #5 and #6: Chloride Diffusion Page 7