A rapid technique for detecting corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete

Journal article, 2006

This paper presents a rapid technique for detecting corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete structures. The technique involves a short time galvanostatic pulse measurement followed with the numerical calculation for calculating the effective polarization current from the measured ohmic and polarized potential responses, so as to be able to estimate the “true” values of ohmic and polarization resistances related to the confined area. Owing to its rapidity (in a few seconds per measurement), this technique provides a useful tool for mapping electrochemical characteristics of reinforcement steel in concrete structures, including half-cell potential, ohmic resistivity and corrosion rate. These three corrosion-related parameters supply better information to an inspector for condition assessment of reinforced concrete structures.