A study of the elastic moduli and chemical composition of corrosion product naturally-generated due to chlorides through nano-indentation and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS)

An important input parameter for numerical models that simulate cracking of the concrete cover due to reinforcement corrosion is the Elastic modulus of corrosion product (Ecp). Despite its relevance, Ecp is subject of significant variations according to the values reported in the literature, which vary from less than 100 MPa up to 360 GPa....

Analysis of naturally-generated corrosion products due to chlorides in 20-year old reinforced concrete: An elastic modulus-mineralogy characterization

The elastic modulus of corrosion product (Ecp) has been reported with significant variations in the literature. This study aims to investigate the Ecp of naturally-generated chloride-induced corrosion products formed in different concrete mixes. Microstructural characterization was conducted through nano-indentation, electron microscopy and...

The influence of defects at the steel/concrete interface for chloride-induced pitting corrosion of naturally-deteriorated 20-years-old specimens studied through X-ray Computed tomography

Although reinforcement corrosion is a well-known issue, which are the locations of the steel/concrete interface most sensitive to pitting corrosion is still an unclear issue. In this study, X-ray computed tomography is used to characterize eight 20-years-old reinforced concrete cores naturally deteriorated due to chloride-induced corrosion. The...

The influence of defects at the steel/concrete interface for pitting corrosion initiation studied through X-ray computed tomography and image analysis

Although corrosion of reinforcement is a well-known issue for the construction industry, there are still open questions about some fundamentals of corrosion in reinforced concrete. These points include, among others, which are the most sensitive locations of the steel/concrete interface for pitting corrosion to initiate and to propagate. In this...

The influence of the anolyte solution type and concentration on lithium migration in mortar specimens

Electrochemical lithium migration has been suggested as repair technique for alkali-silica reaction affected concrete structure. In this method, an electric field is used to transport lithium into the material. Current studies have used anolyte solutions with various lithium salts at different concentrations. However, little has been said on the...

Lithium migration in a two-chamber set-up as treatment against expansion due to alkali–silica reaction

Alkali–silica reaction (ASR) affects numerous concrete structures worldwide. However, the intervention options for ASR in existing structures are limited. Lithium is proposed to suppress expansion. In this paper, an investigation on two-chamber lithium migration as treatment against ASR is presented. First, the influence of different levels of...

Chloride ingress of carbonated blast furnace slag cement mortars

In the Netherlands civil engineering structures, such as overpasses, bridges and tunnels are generally built using blast furnace slag cement (BFSC, CEM III/B) concrete, because of its high resistance against chloride penetration. Although the Dutch experience regarding durability performance of BFSC concrete has been remarkably good, its...

The effect of an embedded cathode on lithium migration in mortar specimens

The currently available treatment techniques for concrete structures affected by alkali-silica reaction (ASR) are limited and electrochemical lithium migration has been proposed as an alternative. Lithium compounds have shown to have beneficial effects on ASR expansion when used as admixtures to fresh concrete. During the electrochemical...

Lithium migration on mortar specimens with embedded cathode

Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) is a durability problem that affects numerous concrete structures woridwide. As the reaction progresses. it might lead to deleterious expansion and cracking. The addition of lithium into fresh concrete is already acknowledged as a preventive method. In existing structures, however, lithium would need to be driven...

Study on lithium migration for electrochemical treatment of concrete affected by alkali-silica reaction

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is one of the major durability problems in concrete and affects many structures worldwide. Nevertheless, currently, there are no definite treatments to stop it once it has star ted. Lithium is known to have beneficial effects on ASR. Indeed, the use of lithium-based admixtures has been acknowledged as a preventive...

Experimental techniques used to verify healing

There are many techniques to study materials. In this chapter the focus of

Historic lime-binders: An example of 19th Century Dutch Military plain concrete

Before the general acceptance of Portland cement as the main binder for concrete in the late 19th century, other, locally available binders were occasionally used. In the case of the Netherlands, which did not produce Portland cement, traditional lime-based binders were not uncommon. With a strong tradition of trass production, trass-lime...