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Investigation of the corrosion problems...
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Investigation of the corrosion problems experienced in a housing complex

Abstract

This paper deals with the condition assessment and the prediction of corrosion rate in an apartment building in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The concrete in parts of the building is heavily contaminated with calcium chloride that had been used as admixture during construction. Independent studies by others have shown free chloride content as high as 1.4% by weight of cement. The presence of chlorides and sufficient level of moisture in the concrete have caused corrosion of reinforcement and cracking, spalling and delamination in certain parts of the building. The assessment involves the in-situ testing of two floor slabs and prediction of their corrosion rate using a number of empirical and mathematical models. It is shown that it is possible to predict corrosion rate using empirical and mathematical models; however, each model has deficiencies, and the interpretation of the predicted values must be made carefully by considering these limitations. In addition, for reliable corrosion rate prediction, it is important to use accurate input data (e.g. concrete resistivity, temperature, chloride content); therefore, it is necessary to complement predictive models with accurate experimental measurements. Simulations using predictive models, combined with relatively infrequent corrosion rate measurements, can be the answer to health monitoring of reinforced concrete infrastructure experiencing corrosion.

Authors

Razaqpur AG; Isgor OB

Volume

3

Pagination

pp. 1569-1578

Publication Date

December 1, 2009

Conference proceedings

Proceedings Annual Conference Canadian Society for Civil Engineering

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