Non-uniform time-to-corrosion initiation in steel reinforced concrete under chloride environment

Chloride-induced corrosion in reinforced concrete (RC) leads to non-uniform distribution of corrosion products around the rebar perimeter. The present study focuses on corrosion caused by sea-salt particles floating in the air, by considering diffusion as the dominant mode of chloride intrusion into concrete. Detailed parametric study is carried out involving critical chloride content, structural configuration, distance from the coastline, concrete cover thickness and rebar diameter, to understand their effects on chloride ingress into concrete. Qualitative comparison of damage induced on concrete cover as a result of non-uniform corrosion layer formation around rebars is presented through time-to-corrosion initiation (TCI) profiles. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.