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Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw

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DOI: 10.1108/ACMM-11-2014-1461

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 Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw environment and protection
measures
Zhiming Ma Tiejun Zhao Jianzhuang Xiao Ting Guan
Article information:
To cite this document:
Zhiming Ma Tiejun Zhao Jianzhuang Xiao Ting Guan , (2016),"Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete under freeze-
thaw environment and protection measures", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 63 Iss 2 pp. 128 - 136
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 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced
concrete under freeze-thaw environment and
protection measures
Zhiming Ma
Department of Structural Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
Tiejun Zhao
College of Civil Engineering, Qingdao Technological University, Qingdao, China
Jianzhuang Xiao
Department of Structural Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China, and
Ting Guan
College of Civil Engineering, Qingdao Technological University, Qingdao, China

Abstract
Purpose – Rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete is the major reason for the durability degradation, especially under harsh environment. This paper
presents an experiment conducted to investigate the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete. The purpose of
Downloaded by TONGJI UNIVERSITY At 19:15 04 March 2016 (PT)

this paper is to provide fundamental information about rebar corrosion under frost environment and improvement measures.
Design/methodology/approach – The related elastic modulus and compressive strength of different concrete specimens were measured after different
freeze-thaw cycles. The accelerated rebar corrosion test was carried out after different freeze-thaw cycles; additionally, the value of calomel half-cell potential
was determined. The actual rebar corrosion appearance was checked to prove the accuracy of the results of calomel half-cell potential.
Findings – The results show that frost damage aggravates the rebar corrosion rate and degree under freeze-thaw environment; furthermore, the
results become more obvious with the freeze-thaw cycles increasing. Mixing the air-entrained agent into fresh concrete to prepare air-entrained
concrete, increasing the cover thickness and processing the surface of concrete with a waterproofing agent can significantly improve the resistance
to rebar corrosion. From the actual appearance of rebar corrosion, the results of calomel half-cell potential can well reflect the actual rebar corrosion
in reinforced concrete.
Originality/value – The durability of reinforced concrete is mainly determined on chloride penetration that brings about rebar corrosion in chloride
environments. Furthermore, the degradation of concrete durability becomes more serious in the harsh environment. As the concrete exposure to the
freeze-thaw cycles environment, the freeze-thaw cycles accelerate the concrete damage, and the penetration of chloride into the concrete becomes
easier because of the growing pore and crack sizes. In addition, rebar corrosion caused by chloride is one of the major forms of environmental attack
on reinforced concrete. The tests conducted in this paper will describe the rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw environment.
Keywords Surface preparation, Corrosion engineering, Materials, Buildings and/or civil structures, Concrete
Paper type Research paper

Introduction reinforced concrete structures usually is designed on the basis of

one of the selected deteriorating mechanism, for instance,
Because concrete has good versatility and relatively low cost, it
carbonation, chloride penetration and frost action. It has been
has been used in man-made building materials in the world.
shown in the meantime by numerous authors, however, that the
At the same time, concrete is also a unique composite material
combined actions such as chloride penetration under mechanical
that is porous and highly heterogeneous, and it allows the
load or chloride penetration in combination with freeze-thaw
passage of water and chloride that reduces concrete durability
cycles may shorten the service life of reinforced concrete
(Funahashi, 1990; Lu et al., 2002; Kanellopoulos et al., 2012;
structures more than the actions of individual processes. In most
Saravanakumar and Dhinakaran, 2014). In general, the
cases, the durability of reinforced concrete is mainly determined
reinforced concrete structural damage is often contributed to
by chloride penetration that brings about rebar corrosion in
the lack of durability rather than structural failure (Gruber
chloride environments (Andrade, 1993; Glass and Buenfeld,
et al., 2001; Levy and Helene, 2004). The service life of
1997; Li et al., 1998). Furthermore, the degradation of concrete

The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on
Emerald Insight at: www.emeraldinsight.com/0003-5599.htm
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the
National Natural Science Foundation of China (51178340, 50739001),
973 Project (2009CB623203) and Key Projects in the National Science &
Technology Pillar Program.
Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
63/2 (2016) 128 –136 Received 7 November 2014
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited [ISSN 0003-5599] Revised 24 February 2015
[DOI 10.1108/ACMM-11-2014-1461] Accepted 27 November 2015

128
 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete
Zhiming Ma, Tiejun Zhao, Jianzhuang Xiao and Ting Guan
durability becomes more serious in the harsh environment.
When concrete is exposed to the environment of freeze-thaw
cycles, the frost accelerates the concrete damage, and chloride
more easily penetrates into the concrete with the cracks and pores
growing in size, which increases the risk of rebar corrosion in
reinforced concrete (Setzer et al., 1996; Thomas, 1996; Sun
et al., 2002). Many scholars have carried out studies on rebar
corrosion; however, only few studies take the harsh environment
into account. And the method of testing rebar corrosion in
concrete needs further investigation (Dhouibi et al., 2002;
Moreno et al., 2004; Choi et al., 2006; Ann and Song, 2007).
Consequently, studying the rebar corrosion in concrete is
necessary under the harsh environment.
For the above-mentioned reasons, this paper tests the rebar
corrosion in reinforced concrete after different freeze-thaw
cycles. The accelerated rebar corrosion and electrochemical
measurement (half-cell potential method) experiments were
carried out, which mainly aim at investigating the rebar
corrosion rate under freeze-thaw environment. The actual
rebar corrosion in concrete was also presented to check the
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accuracy of the results of electrochemical measurement.
According to previous research, some methods have proved to
improve the durability of concrete under frost environment.
One attractive approach is to add air-entrained agent that can
change the internal pre-structure in concrete, which improves
the frost resistance of concrete. Additionally, the concrete
surface processed with a waterproofing agent can also improve
the durability of concrete because the surface waterproof
coating shows good resistance to penetration (Chatterji, 2003;
Zhang et al., 2009; Moradllo et al., 2012). Therefore,
air-entrained concrete and surface waterproofing concrete
were prepared to test the rebar corrosion in concrete after
different freeze-thaw cycles. This paper provides an optimal
measure of concrete protection, which can be used in directing
practical application.
Experiment
Mixture proportions and concrete specimens
The mixture proportions of different concrete are given in
Table I. Cement content used was 300 kg/m3. Water content
used was 180 kg/m3. Gravel content was 1191 kg/m3 and the
sand content was 699 kg/m3, which were graded according to
the standard of ASTM C33. In addition, air-entrained
concrete is prepared, and the incorporation of air-entrained
agent is 0.003 per cent of the cement weight. The surface
waterproofing concrete specimens were treated by silane gel
(400 g/m2), and the primary properties of silane gel used in
preparing CG specimens are given in Table II. Concrete
specimens in sizes of 280 ⫻ 150 ⫻ 75 mm have been prepared
first, as described in Figure 1.
After 28 days of curing, specimens were removed from the
curing room. The surfaces of a portion of the specimens were
Table I Mixture proportions of concrete (Kg/m3)
Specimen Cement
Ordinary concrete (C) 300
Air-entrained concrete (CA) 300
Surface waterproof concrete (CG) 300
Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Volume 63 · Number 2 · 2016 · 128 –136
Table II Primary properties of silane gel used in preparing CG
specimens
Product Concentration Silane
name Place of origin (g/cm3) Character content
StoCryl EVONIK company 0.96 Gel Approximately
HG 200 in Germany 75-100 %
(HG)
Figure 1 Size of concrete specimens used in this paper
processed with silane gel to prepare CG specimens. Then,
they were moved to the laboratory environment for 14 days to
make sure that silane gel has penetrated into the specimens.
After that, the specimens went through different freeze-thaw
cycles; then, chloride penetration and accelerated rebar
corrosion tests were carried out.
Freeze-thaw cycle test
Considering with the existence of silane gel that resists water
penetration, all specimens were stored in water for another 30
days, which aimed to keep the concrete in a water-saturated
state; then, the freeze-thaw cycles test was carried out. The
properties of concrete after different freeze-thaw cycles were
tested according to the Standard Test Method for Resistance of
Concrete to Rapid Freezing and Thawing (ASTM C666). One
freeze-thaw cycle lasts for about four hours, and the core
temperature of the concrete ranges from ⫹8 ⫾ 2°C to ⫺17 ⫾
2°C under the freeze-thaw cycles. After reaching a pre-defined
number of freeze-thaw cycles, specimens were taken out of the
test set-up, and the mechanical properties and related elastic
modulus were determined.
Accelerated rebar corrosion test
When the freeze-thaw cycles reached a pre-defined number
(n ⫽ 0, 10, 50 and 100 cycles), specimens were taken out of
the freeze-thaw set-up. Then, the specimens were dried in a
ventilated oven at a temperature of 50°C until they reached
constant weight, and four smaller side surfaces were sealed
with wax to keep the chloride transport in only one way. The
specimens were kept in an aqueous salt solution containing 3
per cent of NaCl to start the accelerated rebar corrosion test
that lasted for 200 days; the test is shown in Figure 2(a). The
half-cell potential was tested in a pre-defined time, and the
results reflect the situation of rebar corrosion in concrete.
When the time reached 200 days, the specimens were taken
Sand Gravel Water Air-entrained agent Silane gel
699 1,191 180
699 1,191 180 0.003%
699 1,191 180 400g/m2
129
 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete
Zhiming Ma, Tiejun Zhao, Jianzhuang Xiao and Ting Guan
Figure 2 Test set-up used in this paper
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out of the salt solution and layers with a thickness of
approximately 1 mm were milled successively starting from
the exposed surface. The chloride content of the powder
obtained in this way was determined by a chemical analysis
(JTJ, 1998; Xian et al., 2007). Furthermore, the actual rebar
corrosion appearance was checked.
Rebar corrosion determination test
The electrochemical measurement used in this paper is the
method of half-cell potential. The schematic view of
the half-cell potential test is given in Figure 2(b), and the
measuring mechanism is also presented. Table III shows the
ASTM judgment standard of rebar corrosion by half-cell
potential. The rebar corrosion risk in concrete can be
measured according to the Standard Test Method for Half-cell
Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete(ASTM
C876-91) (Broomfield, 1994; ASTMC876-91, 1999; Li and
Sagues, 2001).
Results
For studying the rebar corrosion in concrete after frost
damage, the freeze-thaw cycles and accelerated rebar
corrosion tests were carried out. The related elastic modulus
and compressive strength were first tested after different
freeze-thaw cycles, as shown in Figure 3 and Table IV. Then,
the value of calomel half-cell potential was also determined in
an interval time since the accelerated rebar corrosion test
Table III ASTM judgment standard of rebar corrosion by calomel
half-cell potential test
Rebar corrosion condition Calomel half-cell potential
Low (corrosion risk below 10%) ⬎ ⫺126 mV
Medium (corrosion risk within Approximately ⫺126-⫺276 mV
approximately 10-50%)
High (corrosion risk within Approximately ⫺276-⫺426 mV
approximately 50-90%)
Serious corrosion (corrosion ⬍ ⫺426 mV
risk above 90%)
130
Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Volume 63 · Number 2 · 2016 · 128 –136
began. The profiles of calomel half-cell potential as a function
of time in C, CA and CG specimens are, respectively, shown
in Figures 4-6; furthermore, the influence of the cover
thickness on the rebar corrosion in concrete is also considered.
To investigate the protection mechanism of CG specimens,
the chemical equation of silane waterproof agent is presented
in Figure 7.
Discussion
Frost resistance and chloride penetration after
different freeze-thaw cycles
It is obvious that the freeze-thaw cycles have a significant
impact on the related elastic modulus, compressive strength
and chloride content of C, CA and CG specimens; especially
for the C specimens, the changes are more obvious.
Figure 3(a) shows related elastic modulus of concrete after
different freeze-thaw cycles. The related elastic modulus
decreases with the increase of freeze-thaw cycles. When the
freeze-thaw cycles are 100, the related elastic modulus of C,
CA and CG specimens, respectively, decreases by 80, 8 and
47 per cent when compared with that after 0 freeze-thaw
cycles. Table IV shows the compressive strength of different
concrete after different freeze-thaw cycles. When the
freeze-thaw cycles are 50, the compressive strength of C, CA
and CG specimens, respectively, decreases by 61.6, 9.3 and
9.9 per cent compared with that after 0 freeze-thaw cycles.
C specimens have the lowest relative dynamic modulus and
compressive strength when compared with the CA and CG
specimens when the freeze-thaw cycles are same, which shows
that the ordinary concrete has a inferior frost resistance.
Attributing to the addition of air-entrained agent, the CA
specimens have a superior frost resistance, even when
subjected to high freeze-thaw cycles. The reason for this is that
the independent and closed pore structures in CG concrete
improve the frost resistance; however, the pores in C
specimens are the most connected, which is harmful to the
frost resistance. Under the frost environment, the independent
pore structures can well relieve the internal expansion pressure
that is caused by the freeze-thaw cycles. The CG specimens
also have a better frost resistance when compared with C
 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Zhiming Ma, Tiejun Zhao, Jianzhuang Xiao and Ting Guan Volume 63 · Number 2 · 2016 · 128 –136

Figure 3 The related elastic modulus and chloride content

100 0.7

C, N = 100

Related elastic modulus (%)

0.6 C, N = 50

Chloride content (%)

80 C, N = 10
0.5 C, N = 0

60 0.4

0.3
40

CA 0.2
20 CG
C 0.1

0 0.0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 5 10 15 20

Freeze-thaw cycles (N) Depth of penetration (mm)

(a) (b)

0.7 0.7
CA, N = 100 CG, N = 100
0.6 CA, N = 50 0.6 CG, N = 50
Chloride content (%)
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Chloride content (%)

CA, N = 10 CG, N = 10
CA, N = 0 CG, N = 0
0.5 0.5

0.4 0.4

0.3 0.3

0.2
0.2

0.1
0.1
0.0
0 5 10 15 20 0.0
0 5 10 15 20

Depth of penetration (mm) Depth of penetration (mm)

(c) (d)

Notes: (a) The related elastic modulus of concrete after different freeze-thaw cycles; (b) chloride
profiles as determined in C specimens(c) chloride profiles as determined in CA specimens;
(d) chloride profiles as determined in CG specimens

Table IV Compressive strength of different concrete after different
freeze-thaw cycles (MPa)
Freeze-thaw cycles
0 37
10
50
100
specimens under freeze-thaw environment, which is due to the
existence of hydrophobic coating on the surface of the
concrete. The hydrophobic coating is formed by a series of
chemical reactions; as a result, the water penetration is
reduced under freeze-thaw environment. The internal
expansion pressure in CG specimens is lower than that in C
specimens; therefore, the frost resistance is improved.
The chloride content was determined after different
freeze-thaw cycles. The chloride profiles of C, CA and CG
specimens are shown in Figures 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d). When the
freeze-thaw cycles are 0, the maximum chloride contents of C,
CA and CG specimens are, respectively, 0.35, 0.35 and 0.2
per cent; additionally, the maximum chloride contents of C,
CA and CG specimens, respectively, are 0.65, 0.41 and 0.42
per cent after 100 freeze-thaw cycles. The chloride content
increases with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles. The reason
C CA CG for this is that freeze-thaw cycles aggravate concrete damage,
and larger cracks and pores are formed under the action of
36.7 32.3 frost. The penetration of water and chloride in concrete is
29 35.2 30.9 mainly through the cracks and pores; consequently, more
14.2 33.3 29.1 passage is provided for chloride penetration with increasing
– 23.2 26.7 frost damage. However, the CA and CG specimens have a
lower chloride content when compared with C specimens.
The CA specimens have a better frost resistance, and the frost
damage in CA specimens is lower than that in C specimens
under the same freeze-thaw cycles; as a consequence, the
chloride content is lower. The CG specimens have a better
resistance to water penetration, and the chloride penetrates
into concrete mainly by the medium of water. Consequently,
the chloride content is also reduced.
Rebar corrosion determination in C specimens after
different freeze-thaw cycles
Calomel half-cell potential as a function of time for C
specimens after different freeze-thaw cycles is determined, as
shown in Figure 4. For investigating the influence of concrete
cover thickness on the rebar corrosion under freeze-thaw
environment, Figures 4(a and b) give the profile of calomel

131
 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Zhiming Ma, Tiejun Zhao, Jianzhuang Xiao and Ting Guan Volume 63 · Number 2 · 2016 · 128 –136

Figure 4 Calomel half-cell potential as a function of time for C specimens after different freeze-thaw cycles
–1000
C, N = 0

Calomel half-cell potential (mV)

C, N = 10
C, N = 50
–800 C ,N = 100

–600 N=0 (Little rust)

N = 10 (Little rust)
–400

N = 50 (Mass rust)
–200

N = 100 (Mass rust)

0
0 50 100 150 200
Time (days)
(a)
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–1,000
CN=0
Calomel half-cell potential (mV)

C N = 10
C N = 50
–800 C N = 100

N=0 (Little rust)

–600

N = 10 (Little rust)
–400

N = 50 (Mass rust)
–200

N =100 (Mass rust )

0
0 50 100 150 200
Time (days)
(b)

Notes: (a) C specimens with 15 mm cover thickness; (b) C specimens with 30 mm cover thickness

half-cell potential when the cover thickness, respectively, is 15
and 30 mm. The absolute value of calomel half-cell potential
significantly reduces as the thickness of concrete cover
increases. When the concrete cover thickness is 15 mm and
the time is 200 days, the value of calomel half-cell potential
after 0, 10 and 50 freeze-thaw cycles is ⫺324, ⫺343
and ⫺560 mV, respectively. When the concrete cover
thickness is 30 mm, the value after 0, 10 and 50 freeze-thaw
cycles is, respectively, ⫺132, ⫺178 and ⫺499 mV. But the
calomel half-cell potential of the concrete with 15 and 30 mm
cover thickness both rapidly increases when the freeze-thaw
cycles are 100.
The results of calomel half-cell potential with 15 mm cover
thickness are chosen in this section to investigate the rebar
corrosion in ordinary concrete. According to Figure 4(a) and
Table III, the rebar in concrete after 0 and 10 freeze-thaw
cycles shows a high corrosion risk (⫺426 mV ⬍
V ⬍ ⫺276 mV). And the rebar is in serious corrosion
condition (⫺276 mV ⬍ V ⬍ ⫺426 mV) after 50 freeze-thaw
cycles. Especially when the freeze-thaw cycles reach 100, the
rebar in concrete has a low initial value (⫺439 mV), and the
value quickly rises to a peak value (⫺648 mV), which shows
that the rebar is in a serious corrosion state. For investigating
actual rebar corrosion in concrete, the concrete is cut along
the rebar direction, and the actual rebar corrosion appearance
is shown in Figure 4(a). The rebar after 0, 10, 50 and 100
freeze-thaw cycles shows, respectively, little rust, little rust,
mass rust and mass rust. Additionally, the rust amount in
concrete with 15-mm cover thickness is higher than that in
concrete with 30-mm cover thickness. The actual rebar
corrosion appearance is consistent with the measured results
of calomel half-cell potential.
The absolute value of calomel half-cell potential increases
with the increase of freeze-thaw cycles, in general, which
means that the frost damage increases the rebar corrosion risk,
and the impact becomes more obvious after high freeze-thaw
cycles. The reason for this is that the frost damage aggravates
the degradation of concrete durability; more cracks and pores
are formed with increasing frost damage. The chloride
penetration is the main reason that causes rebar corrosion in
concrete. Under the freeze-thaw environment, more
passageways are provided for water and chloride penetration;
as a result, the rebar corrosion risk increases with the increase
of freeze-thaw cycles. Especially when the freeze-thaw cycles

132
 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Zhiming Ma, Tiejun Zhao, Jianzhuang Xiao and Ting Guan Volume 63 · Number 2 · 2016 · 128 –136

Figure 5 Calomel half-cell potential as a function of time for CA specimens after different freeze-thaw cycles
–600
CA, N = 0

Calomel half-cell potential (mV)

CA, N = 10
–500 CA, N = 50
CA, N = 100
–400
N=0 (Little rust)
–300
N = 10 (Little rust)
–200
N = 50 (Little rust)
–100

N = 100 (Little rust)

0
0 50 100 150 200
Time (days)
(a)

–600
CA, N = 0
Calomel half-cell potential (mV)

CA, N = 10
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–500 CA, N = 50
CA, N = 100
N=0 (None rust)
–400

–300 N = 10 (None rust)

–200
N = 50 (None rust)
–100
N = 100 (Little rust)
0
0 50 100 150 200
Time (days)
(b)

Notes: (a) CA specimens with 15 mm cover thickness; (b) CA specimens with 30 mm cover thickness

are 100, the initial value of calomel half-cell potential is ⫺439
mV. The rebar was in a serious corrosion condition before the
accelerated rebar corrosion test was carried out. This is
attributed to the increased frost damage, the reduction of
protection provided by concrete and the presence of Cl⫺ in the
water contained in freeze-thaw set-up make the rebar rust
before the accelerated rebar corrosion test is carried out.
Furthermore, the absolute value of calomel half-cell potential
rapidly increases to the peak value after the accelerated rebar
corrosion test is carried out.
Rebar corrosion determination in CA specimens after
different freeze-thaw cycles
When the concrete cover thickness is 15 mm, the calomel
half-cell potential as a function of time after different
freeze-thaw cycles is given in Figure 5(a). When the
freeze-thaw cycles reach 0, 10, 50 and 100 and the time is 200
days, the value of calomel half-cell potential is all between
⫺276 and ⫺426 mV. According to Table III, the rebar is in a
high corrosion risk state, and the corrosion risk increases with
the increase of the absolute value of calomel half-cell potential.
When the concrete cover thickness is 30 mm, the calomel
half-cell potential as a function of time after different
freeze-thaw cycles is given in Figure 5(b). The value of
calomel half-cell potential after 0, 10, 50 and 100 times is,
respectively, ⫺114, ⫺116, ⫺123 and ⫺201 mV, and the rebar
is in low, low, low and medium corrosion risk state according
to Table III. The actual rebar corrosion appearance is also
shown in Figure 5, and the actual rebar corrosion appearance
is consistent with the measured results of the calomel half-cell
potential. Additionally, the amount of rust in CA with 15-mm
cover thickness is larger than that in CA with 30-mm cover
thickness in the same freeze-thaw cycles.
When compared with the value of calomel half-cell potential
in ordinary concrete that can be seen from Figure 4, the
absolute value of calomel half-cell potential in CA specimens
is lower, which shows that the rebar is in a relatively low
corrosion risk state. Especially for the CA specimens with
30-mm concrete cover thickness, the rebar corrosion risk is
significantly reduced, and the actual rebar corrosion
appearance also proves this. The CA specimens have a better
resistance to rebar corrosion in concrete when compared with
C specimens under the same freeze-thaw cycles, which is
attributed to the addition of air-entrained agent. The
independent and closed pores are formed, and the repeated
expansion pressure caused by freeze-thaw cycles can well be
relieved. The frost damage of CA specimens is lower than that
of C specimens. Consequently, the protection provided by
the concrete is more effective, and the rebar corrosion risk
is reduced under chloride penetration environment.

133
 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Zhiming Ma, Tiejun Zhao, Jianzhuang Xiao and Ting Guan Volume 63 · Number 2 · 2016 · 128 –136

Figure 6 Calomel half-cell potential as a function of time for CG specimens after different freeze-thaw cycles
–300
CG, N=0

C a l o m e l h a l f - c e l l p o t e n t ia l( m V )
CG, N = 10
–250 CG, N = 50
CG, N = 100
–200
N=0 (None rust)

–150
N = 10 (None rust)
–100
N = 50 (None rust)
–50

N = 100 (Little rust)

0
0 50 100 150 200
Time (days)
(a)

–300
Calomel half-cell potential (mV)

CG, N = 0
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CG, N = 10
–250 CG, N = 50
CG, N = 100
–200
N=0 (None rust)
–150
N = 10 (None rust)
–100
N = 50 (None rust)
–50

N = 100 (Little rust)

0
0 50 100 150 200
Time (days)
(b)

Notes: (a) CG specimens with 15 mm cover thickness; (b) CG specimens with 30 mm cover
thickness

Figure 7 Chemical equation of silane waterproof agent the CG specimens with 15-mm cover thickness, when the
freeze-thaw cycles are 0, 10 and 50, the values of calomel
half-cell potential are all above ⫺126 mV, which shows the
rebar is in a low corrosion risk state in terms of Table III.
The value of calomel half-cell potential is ⫺200 mV when the
freeze-thaw cycles are 100; additionally, the rebar suffers
medium corrosion risk. When the cover thickness is 30 mm,
the profiles of calomel half-cell potential present a similar
changing trend. However, the absolute value of calomel
half-cell potential in CG specimens with 30-mm cover
thickness is lower than that with 15-mm cover thickness,
which shows the CG with the 30-mm cover has a better
Furthermore, the chloride content decreases with the resistance to rebar corrosion. Figure 6 gives the actual rebar
increase of the depth. The rebar corrosion risk reduces with corrosion appearance in CG specimens. There exists a good
the increase in cover thickness; as a result, the CA correlation between the actual rebar corrosion appearance and
specimens with 30-mm concrete cover thickness have a the measured results of the calomel half-cell potential.
better resistance to rebar corrosion. The CG specimens have a better resistance to rebar
corrosion when compared with the result of ordinary concrete
Rebar corrosion determination in CG specimens after under frost environment; even if in high freeze-thaw cycles,
different freeze-thaw cycles the rebar is also in a relatively low corrosion risk. The actual
Figure 6 shows the calomel half-cell potential as a function of rebar corrosion appearance in CG specimens also presents a
time for CG specimens after different freeze-thaw cycles. For little rust when the freeze-thaw cycles are 100, which is

134
 Evaluation of rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete
Zhiming Ma, Tiejun Zhao, Jianzhuang Xiao and Ting Guan
attributed to the reason that CG specimens treated by silane
gel have a good resistance to water penetration. First, the CG
specimens reduce the water penetration under freeze-thaw
environment; consequently, the frost damage is reduced.
Furthermore, the CG specimens also present a good
resistance to water penetration under the accelerated rebar
corrosion tests; at the same time, the chloride content is
reduced. As is known that chloride is the leading cause of
rebar corrosion, as a consequence, the rebar corrosion risk
is reduced. To present the protective mechanism of surface
waterproofing, Figure 7 shows the chemical reaction
formula between the silane gel and concrete. When silane
gel comes in contact with concrete, it rapidly penetrates due
to capillary absorption. Alkyl alkoxy silane first reacts with
water, and silanol is produced. Then, silanol reacts with the
concrete. Eventually, a hydrophobic coating is produced on
the surface of the concrete through a condensation reaction
of the active group. The surface tension of the capillary
channel in concrete is, thus, decreased, and water
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penetration is effectively reduced.
Conclusion
This paper is developed to study the influence of freeze-thaw
cycles on rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete. Additionally,
the improvement measure has been discussed that can protect
rebar from corrosion under freeze-thaw environment. The
following conclusion has been drawn from the results
mentioned above.
For the ordinary concrete, the freeze-thaw cycles have a
significant impact on the rebar corrosion, and the frost
damage accelerates the corrosion rate and aggravates
corrosion degree, which is attributed to the cracks and pores
formed caused by frost damage. The protection provided by
concrete is reduced with the increase of freeze-thaw cycles,
and the rebar corrosion risk is increased. Additionally, the
resistance to rebar corrosion is improved with increase in the
concrete cover thickness.
Electrochemical test method used in this paper (calomel
half-cell potential test) can accurately reflect the rebar
corrosion in reinforced concrete, and the value of calomel
half-cell potential shows the rebar corrosion risk. The actual
rebar corrosion appearance is consistent with the measured
results of the calomel half-cell potential.
Owning to the incorporation of air-entrained agent, the
frost resistance of CA specimens is improved. The resistance to
the rebar corrosion is also improved at the same time, and
the rebar is in a low corrosion risk state even if in high
freeze-thaw cycles. The actual corrosion degree of rebar in
CA specimens is mild when compared with that in C
specimens. For the CG specimens, although the rebar
corrosion risk increases with the increase of freeze-thaw
cycles, the CG specimens also possess a better resistance to
rebar corrosion when compared with the ordinary concrete.
Due to the existence of hydrophobic coating formed by
silane gel, the resistances to frost and rebar corrosion are
both improved. The chloride content is reduced; as a result,
the resistance to rebar corrosion is improved.
135
Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials
Volume 63 · Number 2 · 2016 · 128 –136
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Corresponding author
Tiejun Zhao can be contacted at: ztjoffice@126.com