Modeling time to corrosion initiation in high-performance ferrocement exposed to chlorides environments

Abstract EN

The applications of a mineral admixture, or a zinc coating to steel surface, or a combination of both are methods used for the corrosion prevention of ferrocement element in this study.

Results of a study to evaluate many corrosion protection systems with metakaolin and / or galvanized steel mesh are presented in six U-shaped specimens.

Specimens were built to simulate exposure conditions typical for marine environment.

Laboratory data collected along duration of 40 weeks of exposure were used in modeling the cover depth as a function of time to corrosion initiation of the investigated corrosion prevention methods.

Methods used to assess the condition of specimens included chloride concentration measurements, and corrosion rates.

Model predictions show that the ferrocement specimen of high-performance mortar with metakaolin provides much better level of protection against moisture and chlorides than the conventional specimen, by delay rate of chloride ingress.

Application of a galvanized steel mesh causes an elevation of the chloride threshold resulting in an additional increase in the predicted time to corrosion initiation.