Multiple Corrosion Protection Systems for Reinforced Concrete Bridge Components: Field Tests
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 12
Abstract
The results of field tests to evaluate methods designed to make epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR) more resistant to corrosion are reported. Reinforcing bars coated with epoxies designed to have improved adhesion to the steel, concrete containing corrosion inhibitors, bars with a primer coating containing microencapsulated calcium nitrite applied prior to epoxy application, bars coated with zinc prior to epoxy application, and conventional uncoated bars are evaluated based on corrosion rates and losses using field exposure tests that closely simulate conditions in bridge decks subjected to deicing salts. Coatings are penetrated to simulate damage that occurs during construction. Even when damaged, epoxy-coated bars exhibit significantly lower corrosion rates based on total area than conventional reinforcement. The corrosion resistance of bars with improved adhesion does not increase compared to conventional ECR. Bars with a layer of zinc underneath the epoxy exhibit performance comparable to conventional ECR; this is in contrast to laboratory tests in saturated concrete where the zinc-and-epoxy coated bars exhibited poor performance.
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Data Availability Statement
All data used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
Principal funding for this study was provided by the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration under Contract No. DTFH61-03-C-00131 and the Kansas Department of Transportation under Contract Nos. C1131 and C1281, with technical oversight by Dan Scherschligt and Don Whisler. Additional support was provided by the Concrete Steel Reinforcing Institute, DuPont Powder Coatings, 3M Corporation, Valspar Corporation, BASF Construction Chemicals, W. R. Grace & Co., Hycrete Technologies, Western Coating, Inc., and LRM Industries.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33 • Issue 12 • December 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 29, 2020
Accepted: Apr 22, 2021
Published online: Sep 30, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 28, 2022
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