Correlation between corrosion of reinforcing steel and voids andcracks in concrete structures (with discussion and closure).

The corrosion of metals in concrete is a multibillion-dollar problem in the United States. Most of the corrosion-in-concrete literature claims that deicing salts, or other sources of environmental chlorides, permeate concrete structures and lead to corrosion, which causes subsequent cracking of the overlying concrete. This report presents the results of analyses of corroded reinforced concrete structures and correlates structural loading patterns, cracking, and corrosion. The results of these analyses support the conclusion that, for the structures analysed, the corrosion was a consequence of cracking.