CORROSION PERFORMANCE OF BLENDED CEMENT CONCRETES IN THE MARINE TIDAL ZONE

Luthando Ngcotwana, Rakesh Gopinath, Mike Otieno

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures exposed to the marine environment hardly meet their serviceability expectations due to early deterioration problems associated with chloride-induced reinforcement steel corrosion. To curb the impact of this, the use of blended cement, using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) has been adopted worldwide due to their improved durability performance. However, their performance under different marine exposure conditions varies due to differences in physical, chemical and mineralogical composition. This study assesses the corrosion performance of selected SCMs in the marine tidal zone through an automated cycle change system, resembling the tide change in the marine tidal zone. Three binders (100%PC, 70%PC/30%FA, and 50%PC/50%GGBS), two w/b ratios (0.45 and 0.65) and two cover depths (20 mm and 40 mm) were used to make corrosion specimens. A total of 12 specimens were cast, each with an embedded high tensile mild steel to act as an anode and two stainless steels which served the function of cathode. The specimens were exposed to a simulated marine tidal zone in the laboratory comprising of a continuous cycle of 6 hours wetting with 5% NaCl solution and 6 hours air-drying for a period of 3 months. Corrosion current was monitored weekly in all specimens. The experimental programme is ongoing but some results will be presented in this paper.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings for the 6th fib International Congress, 2022- Concrete Innovation for Sustainability
EditorsStine Stokkeland, Henny Cathrine Braarud
Publisherfib. The International Federation for Structural Concrete
Pages222-232
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)9782940643158
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event6th fib International Congress on Concrete Innovation for Sustainability, 2022 - Oslo, Norway
Duration: 12 Jun 202216 Jun 2022

Publication series

Namefib Symposium
ISSN (Print)2617-4820

Conference

Conference6th fib International Congress on Concrete Innovation for Sustainability, 2022
Country/TerritoryNorway
CityOslo
Period12/06/2216/06/22

Keywords

  • Blended cement
  • Chloride-induced corrosion
  • Corrosion rate
  • Durability
  • Marine tidal zone

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