Estimation of corrosion propagation in carbonated reinforced concrete structures by monitoring of the electrical resistivity of concrete [Stima della propagazione della corrosione in strutture in calcestruzzo armato carbonatate attraverso il monitoraggio della resistività del calcestruzzo]

In chlorides-free environment, carbonation-induced corrosion is the main form of degradation of reinforced concrete. When carbonation reaches the reinforcement, this become active and corrosion can occur. The end of the service life of the reinforced concrete structure depends on the corrosion propagation. In this paper the results of a research that aims to estimate the corrosion rate of reinforcement with different concrete cover by monitoring the electrical resistivity of concrete was reported. The experimental tests were carried out on carbonated reinforced concrete specimens exposed in a climatic chamber and outdoor, unsheltered from the rain. Within the specimens specific probes for measuring the electrical resistivity of concrete at different concrete cover depths were embedded. The corrosion rate of the reinforcement was measured by the linear polarization resistance technique.