Corrosion Testing
Reinforcement corrosion is an electrochemical process and is one of the main causes of reinforced concrete deterioration worldwide.
At Infrastruct, we provide a range of corrosion tests for the evaluation of corrosion on reinforced concrete structures such as motorway and road bridges, single and multi-storey buildings, tunnels, dams, drinking water reservoirs and concrete tanks.
The effect of corrosion within a reinforced concrete structure may not always be visible until cracking or rust staining appears on the surface of the concrete and therefore, corrosion testing is recommended when assessing the condition of any structure.
Two processes that commonly initiate corrosion in reinforced concrete during the service life of a structure are:
1) Ingress of chloride ions into the concrete: The penetration of chloride ions into concrete disrupts the passive layer on the reinforcement and allows for localised and very aggressive corrosion on the reinforcement
2) Carbonation penetration into the concrete: the process reduces the alkalinity of the concrete around the reinforcement and changes the local passive conditions enabling corrosion to initiate and propagate on the reinforcement
At Infrastruct, we provide the following testing to assess the corrosion activity on structures:
- Half-Cell Potential surveys
- Resistivity surveys
- Linear Polarisation Resistance measurement and surveys
- Covermeter surveys
- Concrete breakouts (targeted openings in the concrete to visually examine the type and severity of the corrosion)
- Carbonation testing and measurement
- Sampling and analysis for chloride ion penetration and modelling of the rate of ion penetration into the concrete
Test results and related information are provided in a detailed report with interpretation and AutoCAD drawings.
For more information on corrosion testing or any construction-related testing, please contact us.