Corrosion failure of post-tensioning tendons in alkaline and chloride-free segregated grout: a case study

This paper describes a case study of corrosion of post-tensioning strands in segregated grout that led to failure of one of the external tendons of a bridge after less than two years from the construction. Unexpectedly, severe corrosion attacks took place in areas where the ducts were filled by the injection grout, but segregation of the grout led to the presence of an unhardened whitish paste. A detailed inspection of the failed tendon, as well as other tendons removed afterwards, showed that corrosion occurred mainly in the inclined parts of the external post-tensioning tendons, in presence of whitish grout. Analysis on samples of segregated grout showed that it was highly alkaline and had a high content of sulphate ions, but was free of chloride ions, excluding thus the normal causes of corrosion of steel in cement-based materials. Microstructural analysis of failed wires also excluded the failure for hydrogen embrittlement.