Effect of ground granulate blast-furnace slag on corrosion performance of steel embedded in concrete

Corrosion of steel in concrete is one of the major causes of premature deterioration of reinforced concrete structures, leading to structural failure. To prevent the failure of concrete structures because of corrosion, impermeable and high performance concretes should be produced various mineral admixtures. In this study, plain and reinforced concrete members are produced with mineral admixtures replacing cement. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) has replaced cement as mineral admixture at the ratios of 0%, 25% and 50%. The related tests have been conducted at the ages of 28 and 90, after exposing these produced plain and reinforced concrete members to two different curing conditions. The unit weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity, splitting tensile and compressive strength tests are conducted on plain concrete members. Half-cell potential and accelerated corrosion tests are also conducted on reinforced concrete members. According to the test results, it is concluded that the curing age and type are important and corrosion resistant concrete can be produced by using GGBFS mineral admixture at the ratio of 25%.