The square root method for chloride ingress prediction—Applicability and limitations

Abstract A recent observation showed a square root time dependency of the ingress depth fixed (reference) chloride concentration 0.05% by mass concrete for submerged exposure in Kattegat and Baltic Sea. The purpose this paper is to assess applicability limitations observation, widen scope validity propose it as method. Field data from submerged, tidal, splash, atmospheric inland deicing salt at various geographical locations was analyzed range reference concentrations. In total 237 combinations concrete, exposure, were analyzed. Our results that followed linear relationship with an average R 2 0.96, when penetration plotted against time. appeared valid studied Portland cement based concretes fly ash, silica fume ground granulated blast furnace slag exposed tidal zones, applying concentrations 0.1–1.8% binder, 0.1–0.5% binder zone. It found parameters describing straight line depended on chosen composition, slope (ingress parameter) addition exposure. concluded method appears be promising predicting further into concrete.