The safety of concrete structures is a priority, so they should not be allowed to become damaged in some way or become susceptible to increasingly rapid wear and tear. Corrosion is mainly responsible for this, which has a very negative impact on the quality of the structure. How to prevent it?
What is and how corrosion of concrete structures occurs
Corrosion affecting concrete structures, especially reinforcing steel, is a huge engineering and technological problem. This is because we should remember that the reinforcing steel placed in concrete is an extremely important element of the structure, which is responsible for its strength and stability. Interestingly, concrete in its natural state creates an alkaline environment in which the steel is protected from corrosion. So how does it occur?
The process can be initiated by certain factors, such as the carbonation of concrete, by which we mean the reaction of carbon dioxide from the air with calcium hydroxide in concrete. As a result, the alkalinity of concrete decreases, its pH decreases, which automatically leads to the loss of the protective passivation layer on the steel surface. If the pH drops below a critical level, the steel becomes susceptible to corrosion.
Another important factor is the penetration of chlorides. These can come from salts used for de-icing roads, seawater, and air pollution. Regardless of where they come from, they contribute to local depassivation of the steel, which de facto leads to pitting corrosion. Corrosion can also occur through mechanical factors. In this situation, the process is strongly intensified, so that micro-cracks appear, through which aggressive ions can easily enter the structure.
Effect of corrosion on concrete structures
Undoubtedly, corrosion has a very strong impact on concrete structures, and this is especially related to damage to reinforcing steel, which is a key load-bearing element. The impact of corrosion thus reduces the structure’s ability to carry loads. This can cause such serious structural failures as cracking and spalling of concrete, and even the collapse of structures.
Corrosion of reinforcing steel increases its volume, which inevitably causes internal stresses in the concrete. Cracks appear, facilitating the penetration of moisture, oxygen and salt into the structure. This, of course, accelerates the corrosion process.
There are also aesthetic issues occurring on the surface of concrete, which deteriorates after some time. Ugly-looking stains and discoloration appear on them.
It should be remembered that the financial impact of progressive corrosion is also huge, especially when it comes to repairing and maintaining damaged structures. Sometimes, once the situation has gotten out of hand, it may be necessary to completely demolish and then rebuild the structure.
As we can see, the consequences of corrosion in concrete structures can be dramatic, as reinforcing steel becomes weaker and weaker, causing serious structural problems. For this reason, concrete restoration or repair of concrete structures is an action that absolutely must be taken to prevent tragedy.
How to prevent corrosion on concrete structures?
Considering the consequences of corroding concrete structures mentioned above, we see that it is imperative that we prevent this danger.
A very important role is played by the right materials, that is, high-quality concrete and corrosion-resistant reinforcement, such as stainless steel. It has sensational chemical properties, so it forms a tight layer on the surface, preventing corrosion processes. Thus, it is the ideal protection for reinforcing steel. RS-MAL handles these tasks using modern technologies that effectively combine innovative and traditional methods of protecting concrete structures. They offer comprehensive solutions tailored just right to the specifics of each building. In practice, this means using the latest corrosion inhibitors, protective coatings and concrete impregnation technologies. However, the company doesn’t give up on the tried-and-true, which is why it uses properly prepared concrete mixtures and carefully prepared surfaces. In turn, protective painting of concrete structures provides additional protection.
The issue of corrosion of concrete structures cannot be ignored, as the possible consequences can be really serious.
For those interested in more detailed information on structural protection, we encourage you to visit our knowledge base, where you can find many valuable articles and advice.
