Estimation of extended durability of concrete members with galvanized steel reinforcement based on measured corrosion rates

Protective coating of reinforcement extends the period of safe use of reinforced concrete structures. However, the available literature does not present any methods for reliable evaluation of extended durability of concrete members with galvanized reinforcement compared with conventional rebars without any protection. This paper proposes a simple method of comparative evaluation of durability on the basis of corrosion current density in the function of time measured with polarization (LPR and EIS) methods. After converting distribution of corrosion current density into distribution of corrosion rate CR indicator, accumulated corrosion loss of zinc coating on a rebar was determined by numerical integration of the surface under the distribution of the CR indicator in the function of time. Then, as further corrosion rate of zinc coating was predicted until dissolution of its thinnest fragment, the extended durability of reinforced concrete member was estimated. This extended time was a result of applying the protective coating of reinforcement in the form of hot-dip galvanisation.