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A new method forin-situ measurement of electrical resistivity of reinforced concrete

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Abstract

A new method is described for thein-situ measurement of electrical resistivity of concrete structures. The method is based on the early work of J. Newman who calculated the electrolyte resistivity between a disk and a counter electrode located at infinity. This method has the advantage compared with Wenner's of using a single small electrode for the measurements. In this paper, results are presented comparing this method with Wenner's and with results carried out using a conductivity cell in electrolytes. Finally, values of resistivity are compared to corrosion intensity, and a threshold for active corrosion is suggested.

Résumé

On décrit une nouvelle méthode de mesure de la résistivité électrique du béton dont la technique est basée sur un travail ancien de J. Newman qui avait calculé la résistivité entre un disque et une électrode auxiliaire placée à l'infini. Comparée à la méthode de Wenner, cette méthode présente l'avantage de n'utiliser, pour les mesures, qu'une petite électrode. Dans cet article, on présente les résultats de la comparaison établie avec la méthode de Wenner et avec les résultats obtenus avec une cellule de conductivité placée dans les électrolytes. Enfin, on compare les valeurs de la résistivité du béton avec celles de l'intensité de la corrosion et on suggère un seuil de corrosion active.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM), CSIC, Avda Gregorio del Amo, 8, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    S. Feliu & J. A. González

  2. Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción «Eduardo Torroja», IETCC (CSIC), Serrano Galvache s/n, Aptdo 19 002, Madrid, Spain

    C. Andrade & C. Alonso

Authors
  1. S. Feliu
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  2. C. Andrade
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  3. J. A. González
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  4. C. Alonso
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Additional information

Editorial note Camen Andrade and Maria-Cruz Alonso are working at the Instituto Eduardo de Torroja which is a RILEM Titular Member. Dr. Andrade, who was the 1986 RILEM Medallist, have had all these years great responsibilities within RILEM. Chairlady of the Advisory Technical Committee until 1993, she is now a member of the Coordinating Committee. She is active in 116-PCD Technical Committee on Permeability of Concrete as a Criterion of its Durability and has been appointed chairdlady of 154-EMC Technical Committee on Electrochemical Techniques for Measuring Metallic Corrosion. Carmen Andrade has been appointed RILEM Fellow in 1995.

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Feliu, S., Andrade, C., González, J.A. et al. A new method forin-situ measurement of electrical resistivity of reinforced concrete. Mat. Struct. 29, 362–365 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02486344

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