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This paper deals with the initiation and propagation of corrosion in mortar specimens precracked under mechanical loading and carbonated in climate accelerated conditions (50 % CO2–65 % RH)for 15–23 weeks. Mechanical loading led to transverse macro-cracks and damage at the steel-mortar interface characterized by micro-cracks (cover controlled cracking) which favour the carbonation of crack walls and the interface with the steel bar. Wetting–drying cycles performed after carbonation favoured corrosion initiation all along the steel bar because of the carbonated interface and corrosion propagation because of the creation of corrosion cracks which appear to develop from the micro-cracks induced by the mechanical load. Results also show that rust develops all around the perimeter of the carbonated steel bar but that the corrosion layer is thicker in the lower half surface of the reinforcement than that observed in the upper half. Results indicate that the distribution and composition of corrosion products depend on the thickness of the rust layer and that the multilayered structure of rust depends mainly on its thickness.
This paper deals with the initiation and propagation of corrosion in mortar specimens pre-cracked under mechanical loading and carbonated in climate accelerated conditions (50 % CO2–65 % RH) for 15–23 weeks. Mechanical loading led to transverse macro-cracks and damage at the steel-mortar interface characterized by micro-cracks (cover controlled cracking) which favour the carbonation of crack walls and the interface with the steel bar. Wetting–drying cycles performed after carbonation favoured corrosion initiation all along the steel bar because of the carbonated interface and corrosion propagation because of the creation of corrosion cracks which appear to develop from the micro-cracks induced by the mechanical load. Results also show that rust develops all around the perimeter of the carbonated steel bar but that the corrosion layer is thicker in the lower half surface of the reinforcement than that observed in the upper half. Results indicate that the distribution and composition of corrosion products depend on the thickness of the rust layer and that the multilayered structure of rust depends mainly on its thickness.
In order to extend the lifetime of buildings and constructions at the macro scale it is necessary to understand the damage processes of building materials at the micro scale. In particular, durability of reinforced concrete structures is one of the most important equirements for construction planning and restoration of buildings. Therefore degradation mechanisms were reproduced on laboratory specimens.
CT (Computed Tomography) is commonly used for non-destructive microstructural defect analysis for recurring tests on concrete specimens. In this work a few examples of CT applications on cementitious materials (including cement paste, mortar and concrete specimens) will be presented.
Firstly, in order to quantify the degradation processes, specimens analysed were damaged by corrosion due to carbonation and due to chloride ingress. Particular focus has been set to the analysis of cracks.
An automated crack detection tool, developed by Zuse Institut Berlin (ZIB) and BAM in ZIBAmira, has been applied for quantitative analysis of crack parameters and 3D visualization of cracks.
Furthermore the distribution of corrosion products has been evaluated inside the cement matrix and visualized in 3D data sets.
Another important factor for the ageing stability of concrete is the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The ITZ consists of a layer of cement paste (20 to 40 μm) over every aggregate where porosity is generally increased in comparison with the bulk. This zone could be a preferential zone for transfer of aggressive species. To visualize the ITZ, a small sample of mortar with a diameter of 10mm has been prepared and scanned using the industrial μCT setup at BAM with a spatial resolution of 5μm voxel size. In addition the extracted surface of aggregates could be used for load simulations. We finally show how CT examination of drilled samples taken from building materials in conjunction with laboratory experiments is helpful for further evaluations of damage processes in concrete.
Relation between crack opening and extent of the damage induced at the steel/mortar interface
(2018)
Cracks are inevitable in reinforced concrete structures and promote the diffusion of aggressive agents towards the reinforcement. In Eurocodes, for some exposure conditions, a threshold not to be exceeded for crack width near the rebar is recommended in order to limit risks of corrosion development and ensure structure durability. On the other hand, several studies show that the steel/mortar interface quality at the intersection with a crack strongly influences corrosion development. The aim of this study was therefore to test whether a relation exists between the extent of mechanical damage at the interface and the corresponding residual crack opening. To this end, specimens were cracked using three point bending test apparatus and the evolution of crack opening was determined on the outer surface and deep within the specimen. It was observed that the crack opening measured on the outer surface of the specimen was very close to that measured at various depths within the specimen at the same height level. In addition, the length of the mechanically damaged interface was determined for each residual crack opening.
It was deduced that cracks induced significant steel/mortar Interface damage independently of the size of their openings. The length of the mechanically damaged interface increased proportionally to the residual crack opening without showing marked variation after a certain crack opening value.
Based on the observed results, it is deduced that defining thresholds on crack openings is logical for esthetic reasons but is not articularly relevant for corrosion risk assessment.
Corrosion is the major degradation pathway affecting reinforced concrete structures. In the long-term, the rust layer might become thick and slow down the diffusion of oxygen from the atmosphere to the steel. With this in mind, the mineralogy, microstructure and diffusion properties of an old and thick corrosion product layer were investigated. Despite the presence of macropores, the gas diffusion coefficient was found to be low. The impact of the layer on the oxygen diffusion was evaluated using Fick’s law. The results showed that the layer could reduce the flux of oxygen only in a specific configuration.