Steel corrosion and the resulting deterioration of reinforced concrete structures is one of the primary causes of increasing damage to infrastructure. A focus on concrete strength over durability, the growing use of deicing salts and chloride-containing admixtures, and construction in increasingly aggressive environments are some to the factors that have lead to the surge of concrete structures experiencing reinforcement corrosion in recent decades. [The concrete durability crisis, particularly involving the corrosion of embedded steel, is extensive, and published literature is replete with case histories indicating that there is a urgent need to develop a better understanding of the corrosion mechanism. The objective of this proposal is to establish a holistic study of corrosion of reinforced concrete. The research will analyze the chemistry of the corrosion mechanism, develop new equipment to determine the degree of distress caused by the corrosion and test the new methodology in field conditions. We will promote an aggressive technology transfer to owners, conctactors and government agencies].
