The derivation of input data for modelling chloride ingress from eight-year UK coastal exposure trials

Abstract

The effects of cement type and concrete composition on the resistance to reinforcement corrosion have been investigated using large reinforced concrete blocks exposed to UK coastal splash zone conditions for eight years. The results have been analysed in conjunction with a substantial volume of published data, particularly in relation to the resistance of the concrete to chloride ingress. Concretes containing either pulverized fuel ash or ground granulated blastfurnace slag were found to exhibit markedly better protection of reinforcement than Portland cement concretes of the same grade and a significant benefit was also apparent when comparisons were made at the same water–binder ratio. Variability of both the surface chloride level and the apparent chloride diffusion coefficient was measured over an area of only 0·15m² on each of six blocks. The scatter was sufficiently high to indicate that several measurements are needed to achieve reliable predictions of future performance. In addition, time-dependent changes in the rate of chloride ingress were observed.