Corrosion mitigation of chloride-contaminated reinforced concrete structures: a state-of-the-art review

Corrosion is a worldwide problem and costs billions of pounds. The corrosion problem is not something new but awareness of the problem in association with civil engineering structures, particularly reinforced/prestressed concrete highway bridges, multi-storey car parks and buildings, is relatively new. Corrosion is insidious in nature and the corrosion of steel in concrete is only apparent when it is quite advanced and manifests itself progressively in the form of ‘rust’ stains, cracking, delamination and finally spalling with exposed and corroding steel reinforcement. The proper application of available science and technology can save a large amount of waste due to corrosion. Over the last two decades a number of corrosion mitigation techniques have been developed. Some are more successful than others. Cathodic protection is the only proven technique for stopping the corrosion of steel in chloride-contaminated concrete.