A series of reinforced G109 type specimens was fabricated and cyclically ponded with a15 w/o NaCl solution. The concrete mix design included cements of two equivalent alkalinities (0.32 and 1.08) and water cement ratio 0.50. Potential and macro-cell current between top and bottom bars were monitored as indicators of the onset of active corrosion. The specimens were subsequently autopsied, and the number and size of air voids along the top half of the upper rebar trace were counted, both at the corrosion site and where the steel remained passive. Also, chloride concentration was determined from powder samples taken from passive locations along the upper rebar trace. The observations and data indicated that both cement alkalinity and air voids aftected occurrence of active corrosion. The results are discussed within the context of better understanding factors that cause loss of passivity and active corrosion of steel in concrete.

• Jin-Gak Nam(Florida Atlantic University)
• William H. Hartt(Florida Atlantic University)
• Ki-joon Kim(Korea Maritime University)