Comparative analysis of the performance of a locally fabricated saturated Cu-CuSO4 cell with an imported cell in the investigation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete

• Main Authors: Almadrigo, Allan L., Gregorio, Rico, Jaboli, Leah
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1993
• Subjects: Corrosion and anti-corrosives; Metals > Corrosion fatigue; Reinforced concrete > Corrosion; Electrolytic cells; Steel > Corrosion; Chemical engineering > Research; x4 Electrochemical cells; Chemical Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6827
• Institution: De La Salle University

Reinforced concrete structures are subjected to different types of deterioration caused by the attack of destructive processes of chemical, physical or mechanical origin acting extensively or arising internally. Corrosion is a type of deterioration of metal by direct chemical or electrochemical reaction with its environment. Steel is a metal which is prone to corrosion. But in sound reinforced concrete structure, steel is physically and chemically protected by the alkaline nature of the concrete cover. Lowering the pH of the concrete cover destroys the protective property in relation to the embeded rebars thus making the bars prone to corrosion.Since the Philippines is exposed to several corro-sive environment as a result of the country's industrialization and also by natural causes, the importance of gathering quantitative and qualitative data in the harm imparted by any type of environment in the metal structures must be given an appropriate attention. Responding to this need, this study concerns itself in the determination of corrosion on embedded steel bars by means of a non-destructive corrosion monitoring.Field samples exposed from different types of environment will be tested simultaneously with laboratory samples. Potential readings are determined by the use of a locally fabricated copper-copper sulfate electrode half cell. Readings from this electrode will be compared to the readings obtained from the imported electrode as a means to test if the locally fabricated cell will be reliable. Visual inspection of the metal is done by exposing from its cover to confirm if the corrosion state-corresponds to the readings obtained.