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A simplified approach for prediction of concrete resistivity: experimental study and mathematic model

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Abstract

Corrosion of reinforcing rebar is one of the major causes to the premature deterioration of RC structures. However, there are many factors affecting corrosion of reinforcing rebar. In terms of the nature of reinforcing bar corrosion, concrete resistivity is a durability parameter affecting corrosion of reinforcing bar. This study was carried out to conduct further experimental verification and investigation of corrosion risk of reinforcing rebar in concrete based on concrete resistivity. First, the influences of major factors including W/C ratio, chloride content, ambient temperature, and relative humidity on concrete resistivity were investigated. Second, a total of 290 experimental data on concrete resistivity from previous literature were collected. Some of the empirical models for predicting concrete resistivity were reviewed and compared. Finally, a simplified mathematical model for predicting concrete resistivity from major corrosion parameters was developed, such as cement type, cement content, W/C ratio, corrosion temperature, relative humidity, chloride content, and corrosion time. The uncertainty and probability characteristics of this models are also investigated.

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Abbreviations

ρ con :

Concrete resistivity, kΩ \(\cdot\) cm

ρ o :

The initial concrete resistivity, kΩ \(\cdot\) cm

T :

Ambient temperature, K

RH :

Relative humidity, –

Cl :

Chloride content, %

C :

Content of binder, kg/m3

W/C:

The water cement ratio, –

t :

Testing time, days

CE :

The cement content, kg/m3

FA :

The fly ash, % by cement mass

FS :

The blast furnace slag, % by cement mass

SF :

The silica fume, % by cement mass

\(\varepsilon\) :

Porosity, % volume

Vol paste :

The volume of paste, m3

Vol concrete :

The volume of concrete, m3

m :

Concrete resistivity of the aqueous phase, –

S :

Concrete pore water saturation, –

∆U D :

The activation energy of the arrhenius relationship, kJ/mole

R :

The universal gas constant, J/(mole \(\cdot\) K)

Sr :

The degree of concrete saturation, %

t 0 :

Standard curing time, days

t h :

The hydration time, year

i corr :

Corrosion rate, μA/cm2

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Funding

The study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51878413, 51908009) and the Science and Technology Plan Project of Shenzhen (Grant No. JCYJ20190808112019066).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, People’s Republic of China

    Qiang Zhang & Pei-Yuan Lun

  2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China

    Pei-Yuan Lun

  3. School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China

    Pei-Yuan Lun & Xiao Li

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  1. Qiang Zhang
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Correspondence to Pei-Yuan Lun.

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Zhang, Q., Lun, PY. & Li, X. A simplified approach for prediction of concrete resistivity: experimental study and mathematic model. Mater Struct 54, 155 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01688-9

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