Influence of steel-concrete interface quality on reinforcement corrosion induced by chlorides

To evaluate the degree of corrosion, reinforcements of 14-year-old and 17-year-old concrete members were completely exposed. These 3 in long beams were stored in three-point flexion in an aggressive environment consisting in sequences of drying and wetting by a salt fog (35 g/l of NaCl). The total chloride content was also measured at the level of all reinforcements. The chloride content appears to be significantly higher than the threshold that is generally used to evaluate corrosion initiation. A comparative analysis carried out on these experimental results shows that the steel-concrete interface quality (physical adhesion between steel and concrete) is greatly determinant to predict the initiation of corrosion in reinforced concrete members.