Best practices for measurement, sensing, and quantifying corrosion in existing reinforced concrete structures

ABSTRACT

Reinforced concrete structures are frequently exposed to environmental conditions in which active corrosion of embedded reinforcement occurs. Understanding the currently available techniques and methods, in combination with sound engineering judgment, are essential tools for detecting and measuring the rate of corrosion deterioration in reinforced concrete elements. This paper describes the current standard of practice for the evaluation, measurement, and monitoring of corrosion of steel in concrete structures and provides a ‘real-life’ perspective on the limitations and frequently encountered challenges in this endeavor. This manuscript is aimed at the concrete condition assessment practitioner and to academics studying the application and implementation of new corrosion monitoring and control techniques in practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Corrosion
• evaluation
• non-destructive-testing
• monitoring

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. Pacheco

Jose Pacheco, Ph.D., P.Eng is a Principal with Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a CTLGroup). He received his BS in Civil Engineering from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. His consulting practice focuses on concrete durability, service life, and repair.

D. Tepke

David G. Tepke, PE, FACI, is a Principal Engineer at SKA Consulting Engineers, Inc., specializing in structural evaluation, repair, and service life extension. He is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and serves on a number of technical committees including ACI Committees 201 (Durability), 222 (Corrosion), and 301 (Specifications), and ICRI Committee 510 (Corrosion). David is a NACE/AMPP Certified Corrosion Specialist and Protective Coating Specialist, and is a registered professional engineer in a number of states. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the Pennsylvania State University.