The significance and extent of the corrosion of reinforced concrete are discussed and a wide range of practical test methods currently being employed in the examination of reinforced concrete structures for corrosion are considered.these techniques are classified according to whether they are destructive or non-destructive, examine the reinforcement of the concrete, provide direct or indirect data on corrosion, or measure, detect or predict corrosion of the reinforcement. Each technique is considered individually with the significance and the limitations of the method being emphasised. It is shown that in order to monitor corrosion in a system as complex as reinforced concrete it is necessary to utilise a combination of methods giving different types of corrosion information in order to achieve a reliable assessment of the extent of corrosion over the structure. A comparatively high number of measurements per unit area of concrete surface are essential since the concrete is never uniform and localised corrosion is common. The techniques which justify a high measurement density are identified. The relative importanceof these methods is indicated for some frequently occurring practical conditions. It is anticipated that this report will provide sufficient information to enable the engineer to make a constructive choice of test methods so that a reasonably accurate assessment of which areas of reinforcement are corroding can be established. (Author/publisher)
Abstract