Half-cell Potential Method &

Electrical Resistivity Method

By,
K.SANGEETHA RAJ
Non-Destructive Testing


Non Destructive Testing serve as a vital tool not only
in estimating the strength, integrity and types of
active deterioration mechanism, but also guide the
engineers to plan and devise strategies for executing
repair & rehabilitation projects.
The Presence of Corrosion Activity can be assessed by
1)Half-Cell Potential Method
2)Electrical Resistivity Method
d and interpreted by experienced specialists because to many engineers the features, and especially the limitations of available test methods are unknown and consequently left
to ‘experts’.
Half Cell Potential Survey
 This test method covers the estimation of the
electrical corrosion potential of uncoated
reinforcing steel infield and laboratory concrete,
for the purpose of determining the corrosion
activity of the reinforcing steel.
Copper-Copper Sulphate Electrode (CSE)
Silver-Silver Chloride Electrode (SSE)
The potential values become more and more
negative as corrosion becomes more and more
active
 HALF-CELL POTENTIAL METHOD

Principle: “Electric Potential Difference”

Transparent Plastic Tube

Copper Rod

Copper Sulphate Solution

Porous Plug (Sponge)

Weak Half Cell of a Battery

Electrode
Electrolytic Material

Reinforcement Potential Measurement

 Test Procedure

Example

Grid Marking & Measurement of Electrical

Wetting of Concrete Surface Potential Difference

Digital Values

Colored Scale
Gray Scale

Iso - Potential
Contours Testing is in Progress
According to ASTMC876

Corrosion Potential
> 95% More negative than -350mV
50% -200mV to -350mV
< 5% More positive than -200mV
 ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD
Principle: “Electrical Resistance of Concrete”
Flow of current generated is assessed in terms of electrolytic Resistivity of concrete.

Instrument

Resistivity Meter
(RESI) Resistivity
Measurements

Resistivity of Concrete
() = 2  S V/I kcm
Electrical Resistivity Method

 The electrical resistance of concrete plays an

important role in determining the quality of concrete
from the point of view ‘corrosion susceptibility
potential’ at any specific location. This parameter is
expressed in terms of “Resistivity” in ohm-cm.
For general monitoring, a resistivity check is
important because long-term corrosion can be
anticipated in concrete structures where accurately
measured values are below 10000 ohm-cm. further if
resistivity values fall below 5000 ohm-cm, corrosion
must be anticipated at a much earlier period (possibly
within 5 years) in the life of a structure.
Resistivity ohm-cm Corrosion Probability
Greater than 20,000 Negligible
10,000 – 20,000 Low
5,000 – 10000 High
Less than 5,000 Very high
CANIN+ INSTRUMENT

 The CANIN+ instrument provides two methods

for investigating and assessing the corrosion of
steel in concrete.
1) Measurement of corrosion potential
2) Measurement of electrical resistivity of
reinforced concrete components
The Windows based software CANIN ProVista,
developed by Proceq SA, makes it possible to
download, present and edit data measured by
the CANIN+ half-cell instrument in a fast and
easy way using an IBM-compatible PC.
CANIN+ INSTRUMENT

The program generates a potential map, a relative

frequency and a cumulative frequency diagram
and provides a chipping graph.
This statistical presentation is the basis for an
efficient interpretation of the half-cell potentials
by the corrosion engineer.
Single files can be opened and processed
separately.
By rotating or mirroring in intervals of 90° the
single potential maps can be combined to form a
complete graph representing the total investigated
surface area.
CANIN+ INSTRUMENT

Based on the user defined threshold potentials

that represent certain conditions of the structure,
up to four characteristic potential intervals can be
chosen. The corresponding partial areas are
marked with different colors in the presentation as
a “Chipping graph“.
Potential Map, Relative and
Cumulative Frequency Diagram
CANIN+ INSTRUMENT- CORROSION POTENTIAL APPLICATION

The CANIN+ Corrosion Analyzing Instrument

highlights corrosion activity before rust becomes
visible.
This early detection can be key in preventing an
unanticipated structural failure.
CANIN+ is ideally suited for assessment of
corrosion potentials on large areas of 8,000 m²or
multiple thereof, depending on the individual
selectable grid size.
 235,000 values can be stored by the intelligent
memory.
CANIN+ INSTRUMENT- CORROSION RESISTIVITY APPLICATION

Secondly, the instrument can measure the resistivity of the

concrete.
A lower concrete resistivity indicates a greater chance
of corrosion of the reinforcement and also a greater corrosion
rate.
The resistivity of concrete can vary extensively depending
on the local conditions and environmental influence factors.
The combination of resistivity and potential measurement
improves the information about the corrosion condition of
the rebar's.
The concrete resistivity is measured by the four-point Wenner
probe.
All information is indicated on a large clear display.
The instrument can also store up to 5,800 resistivity values
and the data can be transferred to a PC for further analysis.
Testing Instrument

Corrosion Analyzing Instrument (CANIN)

Wire & Clip for

Reinforcement
Connection
Rod Electrode Multi - Electrodes Wheel - Electrode
Corrosion Probability based on Resistivity and Potential Mapping
THANK YOU