VALIDATION OF HALF-CELL POTENTIAL DATA FROM BRIDGE DECKS

The half-cell method is widely used to assess the condition of existing conrete structures. Its data can be used economically to prioritise bridges for repair, and forecast future infrastructure maintenance needs, because the amount of corrosion usually increases predictably. Standard ASTM C876 describes a data analysis guideline, which provides general principles for evaluating reinforcing steel corrosion in concrete. This paper explains why a simple comparison of half-cell potential data with this guideline may be inadequate. For example, the data may not accurately represent the corrosion state of the rebar below a bridge deck. Also the data analysis of half-cell potential measurements has become more complicated, because of advances in the repair and protection technologies applied to bridges. A recent field study in Alberta, Canada, investigated the advantages of using linear polarisation as a supplementary test to standard half-cell survey procedures. In general, it is important to supplement the half-cell test by additional corrosion rate measurements. This is illustrated by the descriptions that are included of the following extreme cases: (1) a dense repair patch in a relatively poor concrete substrate; and (2) a poor quality repair patch in relatively high quality concrete.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    PALLADIAN PUBLICATIONS LTD

    THE OLD FORGE
    ELSTEAD, SURREY  United Kingdom  GU8 6DD
  • Authors:
    • GU, P
    • Carter, P
    • Beaudoin, J J
    • Arnott, M
  • Publication Date: 1996

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 18-20
  • Serial:
    • CONSTRUCTION REPAIR
    • Volume: 10
    • Issue Number: 3
    • Publisher: PALLADIAN PUBLICATIONS LTD
    • ISSN: 0967-0726

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00729171
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Dec 12 1996 12:00AM