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Test methods for on-site corrosion rate measurement of steel reinforcement in concrete by means of the polarization resistance method

  • RILEM Technical Committees
  • RILEM TC 154-EMC: ‘Electrochemical Techniques for Measuring Metallic Corrosion’ Recommendations
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Abbreviations

B:

Stern constant [V]

C:

Electrical capacitance [F]

CE:

Counter or auxiliary electrode

E:

Electrical potential [V]

ΔE:

Potential step [V]

Ecorr :

Corrosion or mixed potential [V]

icorr :

Instantaneous corrosion current density [μA/cm2]

Icorr :

Non-uniform instantaneous corrosion current Density [μA/cm2]

Δl:

Current step [A]

Ipit :

Instantaneous corrosion current in a pit or localized corroding spot [μA/cm2]

Igalv :

Galvanic corrosion current between corroding and cathodic zones [μA/cm2 or μA]

Icorr,lab :

Icorr determined in small specimens with finite reinforcement area [μA/cm2]

Icorr,sing :

Icorr determined on site only one time [μA/cm2]

Icorr,tn :

Averaged Icorr obtained from integrating or averaging several Icorr measurements obtained during a period of time tn [μA/cm2]

Icorr REP :

Representative-Icorr value [μA/cm2]

Lcrit :

Critical length polarized in on-site measurements [cm]

Px :

Penetration depth of corrosion attack at a certain time [mm]

Ppit :

Maximum pit or localized penetration depth [mm]

Re :

Electrical resistance [ω]

R1, R2, RB :

Reference electrodes for critical length measurement hold in the auxiliary electrode of potential attentuation method

RE:

Reference electrode for measurement of Ecorr

Rp :

Polarization Resistance [ω or ωcm2]

Pp,true :

Apparent Rp [ω or ωcm2]

Rp :

Rp obtained in a reference reinforced concrete slab for calibrating portable corrosion-rate-meters [ωcm2]

S:

Area of the reinforcement to be measured [m2]

Sa :

Anodic or corroding area [m2]

SC :

Cathodic area [m2]

S1, S2 :

Reference electrodes to control the confinement in the guard ring auxiliary electrode time or timelife t

ti :

Initiation period in service life model [year]

tp :

Propagation or corroding period in service life model [year]

Vcorr :

Instantancous corrosion rate [mm/year or μm/year]

Vcorr REP :

Representative Vcorr value [μm/year or mm/year]

α:

Pitting factor

⊘x :

Loss in reinforcement diameter after a certain tp [mm]

⊘o :

Initial nominal reinforcement diameter [mm]

⊘t :

Residual reinforcement diameter after a certain tp [mm]

σ:

Electrical resistivity [ωm]

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Additional information

contributions from J. Gulikers, R. Polder, R. Cigna, Ø. Vennesland, M. Salta, A. Raharinaivo and B. Elsener

The text presented hereafter is a draft for general consideratïon. Comments should be sent to the TC Chairlady: Dr. Carmen Andrade, CSIC-Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcction “Eduardo Torroja”, Serrano Galvache s/n-Aptdo 19.002, 28033 Madrid, Spain; Tel.:+34 1 302 04 40; Fax: +34 1 302 07 00; Email: andrade@ietcc.csic.es, by 30 May 2005.

TC Membership-Chairlday: C. Andrade, Spain;Secretary: B. Elsener, Switzerland/Italy;Members: C. Alonso, Spain: R. Cigna, Italy; J. Galland, France; J. Gulikers, The Netherlands; U. Nürnberger, Germany; R. Polder, The Netherlands; V. Pollet, Belgium; M. Salta, Portugal; Ø. Vennesland, Norway; R. Weydert, Germany/Luxemburg;Corresponding members; C. Page, UK; C. Stevenson, South Africa.

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Andrade, C., Alonso, C. Test methods for on-site corrosion rate measurement of steel reinforcement in concrete by means of the polarization resistance method. Mat. Struct. 37, 623–643 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02483292

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