Effect of mix proportions, seawater curing medium and applied voltages on corrosion resistance of concrete incorporating mineral admixtures

Most reinforced concrete structures suffer durability problems during their service. The major durability problem is the corrosion of reinforcing steel which results in cracking and spalling of concrete. Nowadays, mineral admixtures, such as silica fume and metakaolin are used to enhance the corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete structures. In this research work, accelerated corrosion tests were carried out on reinforced concrete specimens made with plain, silica fume and metakaolin blended cements. The mineral admixtures were incorporated in the mixtures as a partial replacement by weight. The replacement percentages were 10%, 15%, and 25% of cement content by weight. Three types of cement were used in the program which were type I, type II, and type V Portland cement as classified by ASTM C150. Cement content of 350 and 450 kg/m^3 were used in concrete mixes with 0.40 and 0.50 water-binder ratios (w/cm). The curing mediums of specimens were potable water and seawater medium. Also, the effect of applied voltage on the accelerated test was studied. The current intensity, visible cracking time, and critical time up to 2 mm crack width were recorded during testing. The weight loss of the steel was also determined after testing. The observed superior resistance performance of silica fume and metakaolin blended cement concrete as compared to plain cement concrete in terms of cracking time, critical time, weight loss, and corrosion intendancy factor was monitored. Also, concrete mixes made with type I Portland cement have a good corrosion resistance compared with that of type II and type V Portland cement concrete mixes both cured in potable water and sea water medium.