PULSE MAPPING TECHNIQUES FOR CORROSION MONITORING OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Measurement of reinforcement corrosion rates in concrete structures can be achieved by studying the response of the reinforcement to a short duration constant current or potential pulse perturbation. Prior studies have suggested that pulse techniques can give distinct advantages over standard potential mapping methods by enhancing contour differentials. Tests have been conducted on reinforced concrete, exposed to an urban external environment to determine the applicability of this new approach to assess the corrosion condition of distressed structures. The pulse techniques were carried out both with and without a direct connection to the steel reinforcement to investigate the effectiveness of measurements where a direct connection is not possible. The results of these tests were compared with both potential and resistivity mapping together with direct linear polarisation resistance measurements. The advantages and applicability of both pulse mapping techniques are summarised in this paper. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 867793.