摘要: |
Corrosion of reinforcing steel and other embedded metals is the leading cause of deterioration in concrete. When steel corrodes, the resulting rust occupies a greater volume than the steel. This expansion creates tensile stresses in the concrete, which can eventually cause cracking and spalling, initiating from concrete cover. Steel corrodes because it is not a naturally occurring material. Rather, iron ore is smelted and refined to produce steel. The production steps that transform iron ore into steel add energy to the metal. Steel, like most metals except gold and platinum, is thermodynamically unstable under normal atmospheric conditions and will release energy and revert back to its natural and original state—iron oxide, or rust. This process is called corrosion and for corrosion to occur, there must be at least two metals at different energy levels, an electrolyte, and a metallic connection. In reinforced concrete, the rebar may have many separate areas at different energy levels. Pore solution in concrete acts as the electrolyte, and the metallic connection is provided by wire ties, chair supports, or the rebar, pre-stressing cables itself. Corrosion is an electrochemical process involving the flow of charges (electrons and ions) when structure is moist. Causes of concrete deterioration due to corrosion are discussed in the paper. The corrosion may be due to excessive permeability allowing ingress of chlorides and sulphates, abrasion/erosion, traffic, hydraulic pressure, fire/heat, cracks due to volume changes, plastic and drying shrinkage, loss of support, load impact etc. in/on reinforced concrete structures. |