Benjamin Olayinka Projct
Benjamin Olayinka Projct
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
Microstructure refers to the small-scale structure of materials, as observed using microscopes. In
reinforced concrete beams, microstructural analysis focuses on the internal characteristics of both
concrete and the reinforcing steel, including the interactions between these components.
properties, and how it reacts to corrosion. Microstructure is the internal structure of concrete,
encompassing the arrangement and interaction of its components such as the cement paste,
Corrosion significantly impacts the structural integrity and durability of reinforced concrete
through visible cracking, spalling, and staining, necessitating repair and maintenance. (Otieno et
al., 2016). When corrosion of reinforcement develops significantly, the corrosive products
expand continuously and generate internal pressure to concrete around the steel bar. The
continuous process of reinforcement corrosion does not only affects in structural serviceability
by cracking, or even spalling the concrete cover, but also give serious impact on the structural
safety by decreasing the load-bearing capacity. Besides, the physical effects of corrosion include
loss of steel area, loss of bond strength between steel reinforcing bars and concrete, and reduce
of concrete strength due to cracking. (Rozlin et al., 2018). Corrosion affects the concrete's
strength and elasticity. (Xie et al., 2008). Microstructural properties of reinforced concrete are
crucial for understanding its strength, particularly when the structure is subjected to corrosion.
These properties include the characteristics and interactions of the cement paste, aggregates, and
the steel reinforcement at a microscopic level. The cement paste binds aggregates and provides
the bulk of the concrete's strength. Its microstructure comprises hydrated cement phases like
calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and calcium hydroxide (CH). The quality of the cement paste
matrix, including its density and degree of hydration, significantly affects the concrete's
compressive strength and resistance to crack propagation. (Mehta et al., 2014). The
their strength properties, especially when affected by corrosion. Factors such as the quality of the
cement paste matrix, the integrity of the interface transmission zone (ITZ), the condition of the
reinforcing steel, and the presence of microcracks and porosity are all integral to the structural
performance.
Corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete is one of the main issues among construction
stakeholders. The main consequences of steel corrosion include loss of cross section of steel
area, generation of expansive pressure which caused cracking of concrete, spalling and
delaminating of the concrete cover. Thus, it reduces the bond strength between the steel
reinforcing bar and concrete, and deteriorating the strength of the structure. Assessing the
assessing corrosion progression within reinforced concrete structures. This aspect draws on
advancements in NDT methods, and their applicability in detecting hidden corrosion and
estimating remaining service life. (A.M Neville 2011). Investigating how corrosion alters the
microstructure of reinforced concrete beams it is known that corrosion can lead to changes in
porosity, pore structure, and the formation of corrosion products such as rust, which can weaken
the concrete matrix. (Mehta et al 2006). Analyzing the strength impact and capacity implications
solutions that minimize lifecycle costs and environmental footprint, and this can be determined
by knowing the residual load carrying capacity concrete beam. Addressing these research
The findings will inform and unveil the initial and final strength of reinforcement development
enhancing the durability and resilience of reinforced concrete structures against corrosion-
induced deterioration.
The aim of this study is to determine microstructural and strength properties of corroded
ii. Evaluate the microstructural properties of corroded reinforced concrete beams using
The study on the determination of microstructural and strength properties of corroded reinforced
concrete beams holds substantial significance for both the academic community and the
construction industry. It addresses critical issues related to the durability, safety, and
maintenance of reinforced concrete structures, this study not only advances the scientific
understanding of corrosion effects on reinforced concrete but also contributes practical solutions
for the construction industry. It emphasizes the need for early detection, effective repair
strategies, and sustainable practices, thereby enhancing the durability and safety of concrete
structures.
The scope of study involves comprehensive research in determining microstructural and laying
emphasis on the corrosion in reinforced concrete beam, pre and post corrosion strength of steel
with the aid of electro chemical impedance spectrometry (EIS) to determine the residual load
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Concrete
Concrete is a construction material that is extensively used because of its excellent properties
such as durability, workability, satisfactory strength, and the easy availability of raw materials
(cement, aggregates, and water), which are used to produce it. By definition, concrete is a
composite material that consists of a binding medium and aggregate. Concrete is the most
important building material worldwide by far (Meyer, 2009) but despite its many advantages is
vulnerable to sulphuric acid attack due to high-calcium compounds in Portland cement. The
components of the cement paste break down during contact with acids, most pronounced being
the dissolution of calcium hydroxide. Acid attack on concrete has not traditionally attracted
much attention, even when cement composites are severely damaged by acids wherein calcium
hydroxide is dissolved and the hydrated silicate and aluminum phases are decomposed, and the
concrete loses its strength and deteriorates quickly (Ariffin et al. 2013). Moreover, worldwide,
more than 10 billion tonnes of concrete is produced each year. It is known that the production of
each tonne of Portland cement releases almost one tonne of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
To move toward sustainable and green concrete the amount of Portland cement should reduce to
cementitious materials, especially those that are by-products of industrial processes (Meyer,
2009).
Numerous research works have been carried out to date in order to increase the chemical
resistance of concrete by changing the mix design, aggregate type, use of polymer admixtures,
aggressive environments (Sataet et al., 2012). It may be considered to consist of three phases: a
cement paste, the aggregate, and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between them Concrete is a
whereas on a microscopic scale, the cement paste itself consists of unreacted cement grains,
amorphous hydration products (crystals of calcium hydroxide, needles of ettringite, and fibrous
The term “microstructure” is used for the microscopically magnified portion of a macrostructure
visible to the human eye. The limit of resolution of the unaided human eye is approximately one-
fifth of a millimetre (200 μm). The type, amount, size, shape, and distribution of phases present
in a solid constitute its “microstructure”. According to Mehta and Monteiro (2005), concrete has
realistic models of its microstructure from which the behaviour of the material can be reliably
components of concrete and their relationship to each other is useful for exercising control on the
properties. The reasons behind the complexity of concrete microstructure are as follows;
Compared to other engineering materials like steel, the microstructure of concrete is not a static
property of the material. This is because the bulk cement paste and the interfacial transition zone
between aggregate and cement paste change with time. On the other hand, the strength of
concrete depends on the volume of the cement hydration products that continue to form for
environment, solutions penetrating from the surface into the interior of concrete sometimes
dissolve the cement hydration products causing an increase in porosity which reduces the
strength and durability of concrete. Conversely, when the products of interaction recrystallize in
the voids and microcracks, it may enhance the strength and durability of the material. This
explains why analytical methods of material science that work well in modelling and predicting
satisfactory in the case of concrete structures. Another important fact regarding the concrete is
that although it is a composite material, many of its characteristics do not follow the laws of
mixtures. For instance, under compressive loading both the aggregate and the hydrated cement
paste, if separately tested, would fail elastically, whereas concrete itself shows inelastic
behaviour before fracture. Also, the strength of concrete is usually much lower than the
individual strength of the two components. Such anomalies in the behaviour of concrete can be
explained on the basis of its microstructure, specially the important role of the interfacial
transition zone between coarse aggregate and cement paste that will be discussed later. At the
particles dispersed in a matrix of cement paste. However, at the microscopic level, the
complexities of the concrete microstructure are evident because the two phases of the
microstructure are neither homogeneously distributed with respect to each other, nor are they
Corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete beam (RCB) structures remains a primary concern for
infrastructure durability. The process compromises the structural integrity, leading to reduced
service life and increased maintenance costs. Significant advancements between 2010 and 2019
Penetration Chlorides from deicing salts or seawater infiltrate concrete, initiating corrosion on
steel reinforcements (Zhang et al., 2011). Atmospheric CO2 reacts with concrete, lowering pH
and degrading the protective passivation layer around the steel (Angst et al., 2011). Corrosion
Corrosion-induced expansion produces internal pressures that cause concrete cracking and
spalling (Li et al., 2016) study also shows that the bond between steel and concrete weakens,
affecting the overall structural performance (Coronelli & Gambarova, 2010). Microstructural
ii. Degradation of Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ): Alters ITZ properties, affecting steel-
The effect of corrosion on the residual strength and load capacity of RC structures involves the
dependent on the corrosion level and the structural design (Cairns et al., 2015). Rehabilitation
techniques like cathodic protection, coatings, and concrete overlays are used to mitigate
corrosion and restore structural integrity (Bertolini et al., 2013). Corrosion in reinforced concrete
2020).
Pre corrosion strength of steel: Corrosion significantly impacts the structural integrity of steel,
leading to a reduction in strength and durability. Steel's mechanical properties before corrosion
depend on its composition, heat treatment, and microstructure. High-strength steels typically
exhibit superior tensile and yield strengths due to their refined microstructures. Zhang et al.
(2011) emphasized the role of micro-alloying elements and heat treatment in enhancing the pre-
corrosion strength of steel, showing how alloying with elements like vanadium and titanium can
refine grain structures and increase strength. Pre-corrosion strength is often evaluated through
tensile tests and hardness measurements. Zhang et al. (2013) conducted a comprehensive study
on the mechanical properties of various steel grades, finding that high-strength, low-alloy
(HSLA) steels generally show better performance compared to mild steels. Their findings
highlighted the balance between tensile strength and ductility, which is crucial for structural
applications.
localized pitting, leading to material loss and changes in mechanical properties. Papavinasam et
al. (2014) reviewed the impact of different corrosion mechanisms, noting that pitting corrosion
significantly reduces the cross-sectional area of steel, thus lowering its load-bearing capacity.
Several studies have quantified the reduction in strength due to corrosion. Gonzalez et al. (2015)
evaluated the residual tensile strength of corroded steel, showing that uniform corrosion led to a
linear reduction in tensile strength proportional to the loss in cross-sectional area. In contrast,
localized pitting had a more severe impact, leading to stress concentrations and earlier failure.
Analytical models have been developed to predict the residual strength of corroded steel. Ooka
and Salenikovich (2016) proposed a model considering the pit depth and distribution, which
accurately predicted the residual strength for various corrosion scenarios. Computational models
using finite element analysis (FEA) have further enhanced these predictions, allowing for
detailed simulation of corrosion damage and its effects on mechanical properties. Rescent
research provides a comprehensive understanding of the pre- and post-corrosion strength of steel.
While high-strength steels show superior pre-corrosion mechanical properties, the impact of
analytical models have advanced our ability to predict and mitigate the effects of corrosion,
applying a small sinusoidal voltage perturbation and measuring the resulting current.This
technique is also known as alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy, because in this
method, an AC excitation potential with variable frequencies is applied to the specimen (working
electrode) and the induced ACcurrent response is measured. The AC excitation potential should
be very low (usually between 5 and 20 mV) in order to retain in the linear zone and to perform
non-destructive testing. In the linear zone, the AC current (induced) will have the different
amplitude and identical frequency as the applied AC excitation potential, but with a phase
difference. The impedance (that includes real and imaginary parts) is the ratio of AC potential to
Z = Zo[exp(j.Ø)]=Zo(cosØ+j.sinØ)=Z`+jZ``
where, Z = complex impedance, E (t) = potential at time t, I (t) = current at time t, E0 = potential
and current, Z0 = magnitude of complex impedance, j = √− 1.The real part (Z′) and imaginary
part (Z″) of the impedance (Z) represent resistive and capacitive/inductive terms respectively.
Fig. 2.5: Schematic diagram of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test
their corrosion behavior in concrete with chlorides. They concluded that The results obtained in
this study reveal how the microstructure characteristic of TMT affects the development of the
concrete structures. It was noted from critical review that The corrosion rate can be evaluated
These techniques can be used in small steel reinforced concrete specimens under laboratory
environments as well as large scale field structures. However each method possesses certain
use in order to find maximum information about the corrosion condition of steel embedded in
concrete.
Hamidun mohd noh et al., (2018), did their research on “Structural Effects of Reinforced
Concrete Beam Due to Corrosion”. Where the residual strength of RC beam under the corrosion
Shamila salek, (2016). Did a research on the topic “mechanical, structural and microstructural
microstructural concluding that In the CC sample, after immersion in acid, almost the entire acid
affected layer has been dissolved in acid due to the reaction and decalcification of hydrated
expansive gypsum is also believed to accelerate the deterioration process by its expansive
reaction mostly around the ITZ that exists around the aggregates, causing microcracks, loosening
and separation of the aggregate from the paste and hence, allowing more sulphuric acid to enter
the intact matrix. Although the main deteriorated layer of the CC sample is not available,
degradation was mainly due to acid attack, formation of gypsum and the dissolution of hydration
products.
Angst et al., (2011). Critical chloride content in reinforced concrete. They said Atmospheric
CO2 reacts with concrete, lowering pH and degrading the protective passivation layer around the
steel.
should be considered in producing high performance concrete. (i) low water/cement (w/c) ratio
(ii) fine aggregate (iii) large quantity of mineral additives, silicafume, and flyash (iv) high
3.1 Introduction
This chapter outlines the experimental procedures, materials, and equipment used to achieve the
objectives of determining the pre- and post-corrosion strength of steel specimens, evaluating the
Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and determining the residual load-carrying capacity of the
corroded beams.
3.2 Materials
3.2.1 Concrete
Steel Reinforcement: High-yield strength deformed bars for reinforcing concrete (10mm).
Steel Specimens: Plain steel bars used for individual corrosion tests.
Concrete Mix Design: Concrete mix designed for a specific strength class, with the mix
Casting and Curing: Concrete beams and steel specimens cast in molds and cured for 28 days in
corrosion process.
Corrosion Monitoring: Weight loss and visual inspection methods used to quantify corrosion
levels periodically.
Strength Testing of Steel: Tensile strength of uncorroded steel specimens determined using a
Initial Load Testing of Beams: Concrete beams subjected to initial load tests to determine their
Strength Testing of Corroded Steel: Tensile tests performed on corroded steel specimens to
properties of the corroded reinforced concrete beams. Impedance measurements taken to analyze
Residual Load Testing: Corroded beams subjected to load tests to determine their residual load-
carrying capacity. Load-deflection data collected to assess the impact of corrosion on structural
integrity.
Strength Data: Pre- and post-corrosion tensile strength of steel specimens recorded and
compared.
EIS Data: Impedance spectra analyzed to determine corrosion kinetics and microstructural
Load Capacity Data: Initial and residual load-carrying capacities of beams compared to assess
Universal Testing Machine (UTM): For tensile strength testing of steel specimens.
Corrosion Induction Apparatus: For applying electrical current and NaCl solution to induce
corrosion.
Fig. 3.4: Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
This chapter has outlined the materials, specimen preparation methods, experimental procedures,
and equipment used to achieve the objectives of evaluating the pre- and post-corrosion strength
of steel, analyzing the microstructural properties using EIS, and determining the residual load-
INITIAL
FINAL
SAMPL WEIGHT CONSTAN DENSIT
WEIGHT
S/ S LOSS ACTUA TK AREA TIME Y CORROSIO
LOSS (kg)
N (kg) L (M2) (H) (kg/m3 N RATE
1 WL1 26.00 25.40 0.60 8.76 0.002 168 7850 0.00199
WL2 25.60 25.40 0.30 8.76 0.002 168 7850 0.00099
2 WL3 23.60 23.40 0.20 8.76 0.002 168 7850 0.00066
WL4 27.00 26.90 0.10 8.76 0.002 168 7850 0.00033
3 WL5 25.20 25.00 0.20 8.76 0.002 168 7850 0.00066
WL6 23.40 23.20 0.20 8.76 0.002 168 7850 0.00066
4 WL7 24.80 24.60 0.20 8.76 0.002 336 7850 0.00033
WL8 24.40 24.30 0.10 8.76 0.002 336 7850 0.00017
5 WL9 23.80 23.60 0.20 8.76 0.002 336 7850 0.00033
WL10 24.90 24.60 0.30 8.76 0.002 336 7850 0.00049
6 WL11 24.20 24.10 0.10 8.76 0.002 336 7850 0.00017
WL12 23.60 24.40 0.20 8.76 0.002 336 7850 0.00033
7 WL13 25.00 24.60 0.40 8.76 0.002 672 7850 0.00033
WL14 21.00 20.90 0.10 8.76 0.002 672 7850 0.000083
8 WL15 25.70 25.40 0.30 8.76 0.002 672 7850 0.00025
WL16 23.00 22.90 0.10 8.76 0.002 672 7850 0.000083
9 WL17 23.00 22.80 0.20 8.76 0.002 672 7850 0.00017
WL18 24.00 23.90 0.10 8.76 0.002 672 7850 0.000083
4.3 Electro-chemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
The result for Electro-chemical Impedance Spectroscopy is shown in Table
Table 4.2 Result for EIS 0% and 2%
0 0.2M
.0 M
Value Error Unit Value Error Unit
Rp 76.98 2.251 ohm Rp 440.8 5.246 ohm
7Days Ru 195.4 7.41E-01 ohm Ru 195 7.50E-01 ohm
C5 8.61E-04 4.79E-05 F C5 2.17E-04 3.46E-06 F
Goodness Goodness
of fit 2.16E-03 of fit 5.82E-03
Rp 136.2 2.403 ohm Rp 506 5.489 ohm
Ru 197.2 7.79E-01 ohm Ru 192.2 7.48E-01 ohm
14Days C5 2.47E-04 8.69E-06 F C5 1.74E-04 2.56E-06 F
Goodness Goodness
of fit 4.66E-03 of fit 3.75E-03
Rp 226.9 3.103 ohm Rp 332 332 ohm
Ru 203.9 8.06E-01 ohm Ru 198.5 198.5 ohm
28Days C5 1.74E-04 4.34E-06 F C5 2.35E-04 2.35E-04 F
Goodness Goodness
of fit 7.42E-03 of fit 4.58E-03 4.58E-03
5.1 Conclusion
reinforced concrete beams highlights the significant impact of corrosion on both structural
integrity and material performance. The analysis reveals that corrosion leads to microstructural
changes, such as the formation of cracks, reduced bond strength between the concrete and steel,
and alterations in the concrete matrix. These changes contribute to a marked decline in the
mechanical properties of the beams, including compressive strength, tensile strength, and overall
load-bearing capacity.
The findings emphasize the importance of early detection and assessment of corrosion in
protective coatings, and regular maintenance, are essential to prolonging the lifespan of these
structures. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for continuous research into innovative
repair techniques and materials that can restore the mechanical properties and microstructural
integrity of corroded beams. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring the safety and
5.2 Recommendations
rebound hammer tests, or ground-penetrating radar, to evaluate the condition of the concrete and
(XRD) to investigate the microstructural changes in the concrete matrix and the effects of
Chemical Analysis: Perform chemical tests to measure chloride ion concentration and pH
levels in the concrete, which are critical for understanding the corrosion environment.
Strength Testing: Conduct standard mechanical tests, such as compressive strength tests and
tensile tests, to quantify the mechanical properties of both the concrete and the corroded
reinforcement.
Load Testing: Implement load tests on corroded beams to assess their actual load-bearing
and linear polarization resistance to evaluate the extent of corrosion in the reinforcement.
Finite Element Modeling: Develop numerical models to simulate the behavior of corroded
beams under various loading conditions, which can help predict future performance.
Regular Monitoring: Establish a routine monitoring program to assess the condition of
Repair and Rehabilitation Studies: Investigate and evaluate different repair techniques and
materials, such as epoxy injections, cathodic protection, or the use of corrosion inhibitors, to
Log (Frequency) log /Z/ Log (Frequency) log /Z/ Log (Frequency) log /Z/