Influence of Concrete Composition on the Corrosive State of the Steel Armatures and Durability of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Abstract

The influence of the composition of the concrete mixture on the state of reinforcing steel as the main problem of corrosion of reinforced concrete structures is considered. The main attention is paid to the need for individual and mandatory consideration of the influence of the properties of additives to concrete on the passivation of reinforcing steel. The purpose of conducting studies to determine the effect of concrete composition on the state of reinforcing steel is to analyze the causes of corrosion of reinforcement, determine the influence of the environment, apply appropriate prevention of this phenomenon and use methods to determine the corrosion state at the design stage of building structures for which reinforced concrete is used. The composition of concrete, in addition to the standard set in various quantitative combinations (cement, gravel, sand, water) today it is advisable to use special additives. Due to their correct and proportional application, you can create a mixture with significantly improved characteristics: with increased frost resistance, strength, durability, with accelerated or delayed setting of the mixture, etc. Nevertheless, you should not forget that the individuality of the composition of additives could affect the ability of concrete to passivate reinforcing steel. It is possible to eliminate the possibility of reducing the passivation of concrete by testing reinforced concrete samples for its protective properties in relation to the reinforcement. The test method is based on the passivation of reinforcing steel in an alkaline environment and consists in evaluating the protective effect of a sample of concrete in relation to a sample of steel reinforcement by comparing data obtained with a change in potential depending on changes in the density of electric current passing through the sample. The issue of quality and durability of reinforced concrete structures, both technically and economically, is attracting increasing attention of builders. It is obvious that in most cases an increase in the initial cost of manufacturing the structure and its reliable protection is economically justified, if this allows reducing the number and cost of repairs during operation. Keywords: reinforcement, corrosion, concrete, reinforced concrete, concrete additive, concrete composition, corrosion state of reinforcement, durability of reinforced concrete structures.