Materials and Methods for Corrosion Control of Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Structures in New Construction

FOREWORD Salt-induced reinforcing steel corrosion in concrete bridges has undoubtedly become a considerable economic burden to many State and local transportation agencies. Since the iron in the steel has a natural tendency to revert eventually to its most stable oxide state, this problem will, unfortunately, still be with us, but to a much lesser degree due to the use of various corrosion protection strategies currently used in new construction. The adoption of corrosion protection measures in new construction, such as the use of good design and construction practices, adequate concrete cover depth, low-permeability concrete, corrosion inhibitors, and coated reinforcing steel, is significantly reducing the occurrence of reinforcing steel corrosion in new bridges. This report summarizes the results of various research investigations in developing and evaluating the performance of various corrosion protection systems. This report describes materials and measures that can be used for corrosion control in reinforced and prestressed concrete bridge structures in new construction. This report will be of interest to materials and bridge engineers, reinforced concrete corrosion specialists, and those concerned with the performance of reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges. NOTICE This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade and manufacturers' names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the object of the document. Salt-induced reinforcing steel corrosion in concrete bridges has undoubtedly be come a considerable economic burden to many State and local transportation agencies. Since the iron in the steel has a nat ural tendency to revert eventually to its most stable oxide state, this problem will, unfortunately, still be with us, but to a much lesser degree due to the use of various corrosion protection strategies currently used in new construction. The adoption of corr osion protection measures in new construction, such as the use of good design and construction practices, adequate concrete co ver depth, low-permeability concrete, corrosion inhibitors, and coated reinforcing steel is significantly reducing the occurren ce of reinforcing steel corrosion in new bridges. Because concrete has a tendency to crack, the use of good design and constructi on practices, adequate concrete cover depth, corrosion-inhibiting admixtures, and low-permeability concrete alone will not a bate …