Macrocell Corrosion Formation in Concrete Patch Repairs - A Laboratory Study

Corrosion of reinforcement steel bars is a major threat to the durability of concrete structures exposed to chloride contaminated environment. Patch repairing is widely practiced in affected structures to avoid further damage due to corrosion. Macrocell formation within the patch repair is identified as one main reason for the failure of patch repairs. In the present study, a group of patch repairing materials is tested for their potential to form macrocell corrosion after repaired in a chloride contaminated environment. The influence of parameters such as level of chloride contamination, type of repair materials and the area of steel bar receiving repair are presented based on macrocell current measurements. The selected repair materials for study were cement based, GGBS based and polymer based in its composition. It is found that the severity of macrocell depends on the driving potential existing between the repair and substrate concrete. The quality of substrate concrete and repair material influences the macrocell formation. The surface area of the steel bar that receives the repair also affects the macrocell current. The study will be used for the evaluation of repair materials for macrocell corrosion formation potential before their field application in a chloride contaminated environment.