Evaluation of Corrosion of Rebar under Simulated Marine Conditions

Corrosion of steel reinforcement leading to deterioration of concrete is caused by an electrochemical due to the formation of small anodes and cathodes, resulting in ion movement between the two electrodes. Under marine environment, the inclusion of chloride into concrete is the primary reasons of reinforcement corrosion. The objective of the present study is to assess the extent of corrosion of rebar using accelerated corrosion test under simulated marine condition. In the present study, 150mm x 150mm x 150mm concrete cube specimens along with 8mm steel bar as reinforcement was used to assess corrosion of rebar in concrete under simulated marine water immersion. A constant voltage accelerated corrosion technique was used to induce corrosion to assess the factors governing the distribution and growth of corrosion products at the steel-concrete contact that were quantitatively examined. Use of gravimetric analysis indicated that the weight of the rebar in concrete under simulated marine environment decreased by 4.4% after 62 days of exposure under accelerated corrosion testing. XRD analysis indicated highest percentage of iron oxide in corroded specimens