25 years of field exposure of pre-cracked concrete beams; combined impact of spacers and cracks on reinforcement corrosion

Mette Geiker*, Tobias Danner, Alexander Michel, Andres Belda Revert, Oskar Linderoth, Karla Hornbostel

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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    Abstract

    The state of corrosion of three pre-cracked concrete beams was investigated after 25 years of marine exposure (atmospheric, tidal and submerged). The influence of inadequate plastic spacers was found to overrule the possible impact of bending cracks on reinforcement corrosion. Increased chloride ingress was detected in cracked areas, but very little corrosion was observed where cracks reached the reinforcement. Also, high chloride content was measured in uncracked parts of the beams, but no or very limited corrosion was observed outside spacers and a few cracks. It is hypothesised that corrosion, initiated early at weak spots (here at plastic spacers) can protect the remaining reinforcement from corrosion.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number122801
    JournalConstruction and Building Materials
    Volume286
    Number of pages18
    ISSN0950-0618
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Keywords

    • Reinforced concrete
    • Cracks
    • Spacers
    • Long-term marine exposure
    • Reinforcement corrosion

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