Evaluation of corrosion conditions of reinforced concrete structures exposed to chloride-bearing environment

To plan the maintenance of reinforced concrete structures, damaged by chloride-induced corro-sion, their corrosion conditions need to be properly assessed and this can be carried out only if there is a deep knowledge of the degradation mechanism. This paper deals with the mechanism of chloride-induced corrosion of steel in concrete, analysing the factors affecting the time to corro-sion initiation and corrosion propagation. Attention will be then focused on studies carried out in recent years at the mCD Concrete Durability lab of Politecnico di Milano, which were aimed at investigating the corrosion rate of carbon steel rebar embedded in concrete exposed to chloride penetration.