See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/370822601

Accelerated Corrosion of Steel Rebar in Concrete by Electromigration: Effect of

Reservoir Length and Concrete Mixes

Article  in  SSRN Electronic Journal · January 2023

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4446360

CITATIONS READS

0 8

2 authors, including:

Kazi Naimul Hoque

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
19 PUBLICATIONS   34 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Kazi Naimul Hoque on 30 May 2023.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Hosted on SSRN.com
Proceedings of MARTEC 2022
The International Conference on Marine Technology
21-22 December 2022, BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh

ACCELERATED CORROSION OF STEEL REBAR IN CONCRETE BY

ELECTROMIGRATION: EFFECT OF RESERVOIR LENGTH AND CONCRETE
MIXES
Kazi Naimul Hoque1 and Francisco Presuel-Moreno2
1 2
Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Atlantic University (FAU), Dania Beach, Florida, USA
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh E-mail: fpresuel@fau.edu
E-mail: kazinaim@name.buet.ac.bd

ABSTRACT
Two separate binary blended concrete mixes were prepared, one of which contains cement replacement of 50% slag
(referred to as SL) and the other of which contains cement replacement of 20% fly ash (termed as FA). Concrete
specimens were made using a water to cementitious ratio of 0.41. Different size reservoir lengths ranging from 2.5
cm to 17.5 cm were installed on the top surface of each specimen, and these reservoirs were ponded with 10 percent
NaCl solution. Chloride transport was accelerated by electromigration, using an applied potential of 9V initially, and
then reduced to 3V after around a week. Steel corrosion parameters were monitored using rebar potential
measurements and galvanostatic pulse measurements, over a period of approximately 400 days. Corrosion current
values obtained from experimental measurements were then converted to mass loss. Based on the results of
experimental findings, the corrosion current values as well as the mass loss values were found to be significantly
influenced by the length of the solution reservoirs. This study provides a guideline for subsequent research on
accelerated steel corrosion in concrete.

Keywords: Accelerated corrosion, Electromigration, Fly ash, Slag, Corrosion current, Mass loss.

1. INTRODUCTION

Accelerated corrosion of steel (in concrete) typically
refers to a steel corrosion process that takes place at a
faster rate than the corresponding natural process. In
contrast to natural corrosion, accelerated corrosion's
consequences, such as depassivation and/or corrosion-
induced damage, can be observed rather shortly. One
similarity between natural and accelerated corrosion is
that anodic and cathodic reactions occur in both cases [1].
Accelerated corrosion techniques have previously been
used to examine the time to corrosion initiation,
corrosion-induced damage, and the impact on parameters
like deformation behavior, ductility, bond strength, and
mechanism of failure in RC structures [2–5]. However,
due to the current needs to quantify and account for the
corrosion propagation phase in the service life of
corrosion-affected RC structures [6, 7], it is necessary to
research and develop techniques that can eliminate the
initiation phase while, to the greatest degree possible,
simulating natural corrosion propagation and causing
very little corrosion-induced damage.
A variety of techniques, such as applying an anodic
impressed current (galvanostatic) or potential
(potentiostatic) between the steel reinforcement (anode)
and a separate (internal or external) cathode (e.g.,
stainless steel), or using admixed chlorides, or using
cyclic wetting and drying with a chloride-solution, or a
suitable combination of these can accelerate chloride-
induced corrosion. When impressed current (IC) is used,
the steel is artificially polarized [1] and an electric field
is applied to the steel surface to accelerate the corrosion
[8, 9]. When impressed current or voltage is utilized, the
penetration of chloride ions (Cl-) in concrete is
migration-dominated as opposed to natural chloride
ingress into concrete through diffusion. The whole
exposed surface area of the steel is anodic during the
application of anodic IC, causing general corrosion as
opposed to the pitting-type corrosion that occurs
naturally with discrete anodes and cathodes (high
cathode-to-anode area ratio). Furthermore, the concrete
pore solution around the steel changes in local chemistry
due to the applied anodic IC by altering its ionic
distribution. This technique is preferred when studying
the degree of steel corrosion in concrete and its related
effects such as flexural strength, ductility, and so on
because it has the advantage of being able to control the
degree of corrosion. The degree of corrosion is one of the
key parameters to predict the useful service life of
corroding RC structures [2].

58-1

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360


To avoid the corrosion initiation phase, admixed
chlorides, which typically range from 1 to 5% by mass of
cement, are primarily used in accelerated corrosion
investigations [2, 10, 11]. The process prevents the steel
from forming a passive protective film before the
chloride threshold is reached. Additionally, it prevents
the chloride binding-effects that naturally occur under
certain circumstances and is extremely likely to change
the alkalinity of the concrete pore solution. Cyclic
wetting and drying technique accelerate steel corrosion
in concrete by allowing chlorides to quickly penetrate the
concrete by capillary suction in addition to diffusion [3–
5] and by allowing dissolved oxygen to be replenished at
the steel surface during the drying cycle to support the
cathodic reaction process.
Two different binary blended concrete mixtures were
produced for this study. Chloride transport was
accelerated by electromigration. The method was
developed from the results of earlier studies [12].
Corrosion of rebar typically starts after a few weeks or
months. Galvanostatic pulse measurements and rebar
potential measurements were carried out to assess the
progression of corrosion.
2. EXPERIMENTAL
2.1 Materials
Concrete specimens of dimensions 30.5 cm x 12.7 cm
x 7.6 cm (12 in X 5 in X 3 in) were made using a w/cm
ratio of 0.41 and two different binder types (80/20
PC/FA, 50/50 PC/SL) where PC: Portland cement, FA:
fly ash, and SL: slag. The mix proportions are
summarized in Table 1. Appendix 2 from reference [13]
contains details on each concrete mixes. A 0.94 cm
diameter high yield steel reinforcing rebar was embedded
in each specimen at a cover of 0.75 cm. For both SL and
FA concrete mixes, eleven single rebar specimens were
prepared per mix, totaling 22 specimens.
2.2 Casting and curing of specimens
Each rebar was drilled on one end and a stainless-steel
screw was inserted prior to casting the concrete. To make
an electrical contact for monitoring corrosion, this
Accelerated corrosion of steel rebar in concrete by electromigration…
Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360
Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com
technique was accomplished. Figure 1 shows some single
rebar molds with reinforcement prior to casting. All
specimens had stainless steel (or titanium mix metal
oxide 'TiMMO') mesh inserted on the top side at the time
of casting. This surface served as the bottom surface
during the experiment. Chloride transportation was
accelerated using the mesh. Meshes were
approximately 3 cm wide, positioned along the center of
the rebar and varied in length from 2.5 cm to 17.5 cm.
After a day, the molds were taken out and brought to the
fog room for curing.
Figure 1. Some single rebar molds with reinforcement
prior to casting
2.3 Exposure environment
Following casting, the samples were transported to the
Marine Materials & Corrosion Laboratory at the FAU
SeaTech campus for the experiment's next stage, and
these samples were kept there until the solution reservoir
was set up in a high humidity chamber. The solution
reservoir for ponding was then fitted, and the samples
were then moved to the laboratory setting (65% RH and
21°C).
2.4 Preparation of the specimen setup for
electromigration
At least 40 days following casting, the solution
reservoir was positioned on the top surface of the
58-2
 Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com

specimen. The reservoir was filled with NaCl solution
(10% by weight). The samples were stored in high
humidity for 3 to 7 days prior to the process. On the top
surface of the solution reservoir, electrodes (made of
stainless-steel wire mesh or TiMMO mesh) with
dimensions comparable to those embedded were
positioned.
The samples were stored in clear plastic jars. About one
cm of each concrete specimen was immersed in a
saturated calcium hydroxide solution. A white plastic
mesh was placed on top of each sample. This process was
used to minimize concrete's ability to leach
contaminants.
3. ELECTROMIGRATION AND INITIATION
OF CORROSION
end dates of electromigration and the calculated Ampere-
hour applied.
When the system was turned off, the rebar potential
was assessed. Despite not being connected, an ionic
current produced by the applied electric field polarized
the rebars. The applied potential was restarted if the most
recent rebar potential measurement showed that
corrosion had not occurred after monitoring the rebar
potential for a while (typically up to two hours) with the
system disconnected. The electromigration procedure
was carried out until the sample displayed an off-rebar
potential (a value of -150 mVsce or more negative),
which may suggest the initiation of corrosion in that
embedded rebar. Corrosion initiates at a potential
value of -150 mVsce (-220 mV vs. CSE), according to
earlier studies [12].

A power source was employed to develop a

potential hold between the top and bottom meshes. The
chlorides in the solution above each rebar were then
driven into the concrete and in the direction of the
embedded rebar via an electric field. The electrode in the
NaCl solution was wired to the power source's negative
end. The positive end of the power supply was connected
to the embedded mesh in each specimen. The
experimental setup for the electromigration process is
depicted in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Experimental setup used for electromigration

On each specimen, electromigration was performed.

The first applied potential was 9 V. A potential greater
than +2V was noticed when the rebar potential was
measured in relation to a saturated calomel reference
electrode while the electric field was still present. After 7
days, the potential was reduced to 3 V. The amount of
current applied when a particular voltage was given for
several days at a time was calculated using the delta
potential across a 100-ohm resistor. Table 2 and Table 3
shows the sample name/ID, reservoir length, the start and
4. CORROSION MONITORING
During the stage of corrosion propagation, the potential
of the rebar was continuously observed using a saturated
calomel reference electrode. The same kind of electrode
used to detect the rebar potential during the
electromigration stage was utilized to measure it in the

Accelerated corrosion of steel rebar in concrete by electromigration… 58-3

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360


samples selected for modest anodic polarization. The
solution resistance (Rs) and polarization resistance (Rc)
were measured at least two days after the system was
disconnected (turned off).
The galvanostatic pulse (GP) tests provided an
alternative approach of determining Rs and Rc values. A
galvanostatic pulse of 10 microamperes was used. The
GP testing was conducted for 200 seconds. The GP test
measures the open circuit potential for a few seconds
first. The rebar potential is then measured as a function
of time after the pulse is applied. Using the rebar potential
prior to the GP and the first potential reading with the
current pulse (i.e., the initial on-potential), the Rs (GP)
was determined. The difference between the initial on-
potential and the rebar potential value obtained at 200
seconds was used to determine the Rc (GP). Rc values
obtained from GP readings were converted to corrosion
current (Icorr) where the corroding area is unknown. The
corrosion current values were finally converted to mass
loss using Faradaic calculation. The Icorr was determined
using the Stern-Geary equation i.e., Icorr = B/Rp where
Rp is the polarization resistance (defined previously as
Rc) and B is the Stern-Geary coefficient that ranged from
13 to 52 mV depending on the steel's corrosion condition
(i.e., passive, or active) [14, 15]. Therefore, a value of 26
mV was used for this study.
5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The section that follows shows the evolution of
corrosion current (Icorr) over time for samples
prepared with various concrete mixes and cast with a
single rebar as determined by GP measurements. The
Icorr plots and potential plots for the SL and FA single
rebar samples were developed using the GP
readings collected between April 2017 and May 2018.
Figure 3 shows the evolution of corrosion current and
potential over time for SL single rebar samples under the
solution reservoir of 5 cm. While observing the first plot
(Icorr plot) in Figure 3, it was noted that most of the
samples showed an oscillating trend in terms of corrosion
current, except for SL-6 sample which gives a plateau
trend for the most period. For SL-6 sample, all Icorr
values were less than 10 μA. SL-7 and SL-8 samples had
several cyclic periods (i.e., increase followed by a
decrease). Icorr values were found to be larger for SL-8
samples than in comparison with other SL samples
having the 5 cm reservoir size. Icorr values ranged from
5.0-28.7 μA for these samples (5 cm solution reservoir).
While looking at the second plot (potential plot) in Figure
3, it was found that the potential values were more
negative than -150 mVsce for most of the readings for
SL-7 and SL-8 samples, thus suggests ongoing corrosion
propagation. But for SL-6 sample, potential values were
Accelerated corrosion of steel rebar in concrete by electromigration…
Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360
Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com
mostly more positive than -150 mVsce, which might
suggest that corrosion initiated, but with time the rebar
tended to repassivate.
Figure 4 illustrates the evolution of corrosion current
and potential over time for FA single rebar samples under
the solution reservoir of 7.5 cm. While observing the first
plot (Icorr plot) in Figure 4, it was noticed that the
corrosion current values followed an oscillating trend for
all the samples. For FA-4 sample, corrosion current
values increased monotonically until day 240, followed
by a significant drop on day 330, and then increased.
Corrosion current values for FA-5 sample tended to
decrease monotonically from day 80 to day 272,
following a cyclic trend thereafter. Icorr values ranged
from 11.7-39.5 μA for these samples (7.5 cm solution
reservoir). Figure 3's second plot (potential plot) was
examined, and it was observed that the potential values
were more negative than -350 mVsce until day 150 for
all these samples and the values tended to become more
positive as the day progresses. This phenomenon might
occur if corrosion advanced more slowly. The rebar
might have repassivated in some instances, or over time,
the non-corroding rebar might have polarized the
corroding sites to a more positive value. Reference [13,
16, 17, 18] contains the plots for the other SL and FA
specimens.
Table 4 depicts the Icorr average and STD values
obtained from GP readings for SL single rebar
specimens. The measurements taken between May 2017
and May 2018 were included to calculate these averages.
It was observed that for a reservoir length of 17.5 cm,
Icorr average & STD values for SL-1, SL-2, and SL-3
samples were 20.5 μA, 25.9 μA, and 19.1 μA & 3.2 μA,
2.5 μA, and 3.7 μA respectively. While comparing the
Icorr average measured on rebars for 10 cm reservoir
length samples, it was found that Icorr average & STD
values for SL-9, SL-10, and SL-11 were 11.7 μA, 14.9
μA, and 14.3 μA & 2.4 μA, 3.4 μA, and 3.9 μA
respectively. It was noted that for 5 cm reservoir length
samples, the Icorr average & STD values for SL-6, SL-7,
and SL-8 were 8.0 μA, 12.1 μA, and 17.9 μA & 1.1 μA,
4.1 μA, and 4.9 μA respectively. It was noticed that for
2.5 cm reservoir length samples, the Icorr average & STD
values for SL-4, and SL-5 were 6.9 μA, and 7.4 μA & 1.5
μA, and 4.8 μA respectively. It was interesting to note
that the rebar with the largest average Icorr was the rebar
embedded in sample SL-2, which has the longer solution
reservoir of 17.5 cm. The rebar with the lowest average
Icorr was for SL-4 sample, that has the smaller solution
reservoir of 2.5 cm.
58-4
 Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com

Table 5 highlights the Icorr average and STD values solution reservoir for SL and FA concrete mixes cast with
obtained from GP measurements for FA single rebar a single rebar.
specimens. These averages were calculated using data

obtained from May 2017 to May 2018. It was observed

that for a reservoir length of 17.5 cm, Icorr average &
STD values for FA-7, FA-8, and FA-9 samples were 16.7
μA, 8.1 μA, and 15.5 μA & 2.2 μA, 0.8 μA, and 3.2 μA
respectively. While comparing the Icorr average
measured on rebars for 7.5 cm reservoir length samples,
it was found that Icorr average & STD values for FA-4,
FA-5, and FA-6 were 24.3 μA, 16.6 μA, and 23.8 μA &
4.6 μA, 2.4 μA, and 7.8 μA respectively. It was noted that
for 5 cm reservoir length samples, the Icorr average &
STD values for FA-1, FA-2, and FA-3 were 5.4 μA, 6.0
μA, and 19.6 μA & 0.7 μA, 2.5 μA, and 8.9 μA
respectively. It was noticed that for 2.5 cm reservoir
length samples, the Icorr average & STD values for FA-
10, and FA-11 were 7.4 μA, and 3.3 μA & 3.0 μA, and
1.2 μA respectively. It was interesting to note that the
rebar with the largest average Icorr was the rebar
embedded in sample FA-4, which has a solution reservoir
of 7.5 cm. The rebar with the lowest average Icorr was
for FA-11 sample, that has the smaller solution reservoir
of 2.5 cm. Figure 5 summarizes the correlation between
the average corrosion current and the length of the

Accelerated corrosion of steel rebar in concrete by electromigration… 58-5

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360

 Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com

composition samples and from 0.048 to 0.178 grams for

FA samples. Finally, for rebars with a 2.5 cm solution
reservoir size, the mass loss for SL mix samples ranged
from 0.062 to 0.070 grams, while it ranged from 0.030 to
0.066 grams for rebars in FA samples. Figure 6
summarizes the relationship between the maximum mass
loss values and the length of the solution reservoir for SL
and FA concrete mixes cast with a single rebar.

Figure 5. Summary of average corrosion current with

length of solution reservoir and concrete mixes cast with
single rebar

Table 6 and Table 7 shows the estimated mass loss in

grams for SL and FA single rebar samples obtained from
the GP method according to the length of solution
reservoir installed. Measurements taken between May
2017 to May 2018 were included to calculate these
values. The mass loss values for rebars in SL samples
with 17.5 cm solution reservoir size ranged from 0.142 to
0.170 grams, whereas the values for rebars in FA samples
with the same reservoir length ranged from 0.056 to
0.149 grams. The mass loss for rebars in SL samples with
a solution reservoir size of 10 cm ranged from 0.106 to
0.131 grams, whereas it ranged from 0.150 to 0.220
grams for FA samples with a ponding length of 7.5 cm.
For rebars with a solution reservoir size of 5 cm, the mass
loss ranged from 0.072 to 0.155 grams for SL

Accelerated corrosion of steel rebar in concrete by electromigration… 58-6

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360


Figure 6. Summary of maximum mass loss (GP) with
length of solution reservoir and concrete mixes cast with
single rebar
6. CONCLUSIONS
The chlorine transport was successfully accelerated by
the electromigration approach, causing corrosion to
initiate on every single rebar specimen.
The corrosion current values obtained from
electrochemical experiments were significantly
influenced by the length of the solution reservoirs. The
corrosion current value was found to increase with the
length of the solution reservoir, except for samples with
reservoir sizes of 10 cm (SL) and 17.5 cm (FA).
Corrosion current values were comparable for 2.5 cm and
5 cm reservoir size for both SL and FA concrete mixes.
But for 17.5 cm reservoir size, corrosion current values
were found to be larger for SL mix than in comparison
with FA mix. For FA concrete mix, the larger corrosion
current values were observed for 7.5 cm reservoir size
samples.
Except for samples with reservoir sizes of 10 cm (SL)
and 17.5 cm (FA), it was found that the calculated mass
loss value increased with the length of the solution
reservoir. For SL concrete mix and FA concrete mix,
samples with reservoir sizes of 17.5 cm and 7.5 cm,
respectively, showed maximum mass loss values.
REFERENCES
[1] Austin, S.A., Lyons, R., and Ing, M.J.,
“Electrochemical behavior of steel-reinforced
concrete during accelerated corrosion testing,”
Corrosion, 60(2), pp. 203–212 (2004).
[2[ El Maaddawy, T.A., and Soudki, K.A.,
“Effectiveness of impressed current technique to
Accelerated corrosion of steel rebar in concrete by electromigration…
Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360
Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com
simulate corrosion of steel reinforcement in
concrete,” ASCE J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 15(1), pp. 41–
47 (2003).
[3] Polder, R.B., and Peelen, H.A., “Characterization of
chloride transport and reinforcement corrosion in
concrete under cyclic wetting and drying by electrical
resistivity,” Cem. Concr. Compos., vol. 24, pp. 427–
435 (2002).
[4] Wu, J., Li, H., Wang, Z., and Liu, J., “Transport
model of chloride ions in concrete under loads and
drying-wetting cycles,” Constr. Build. Mater., vol.
112, pp. 733–738 (2016).
[5] Ye, H., Jin, X., Fu, C., Jin, N., Xu, Y., and Huang, T.,
“Chloride penetration in concrete exposed to cyclic
drying-wetting and carbonation,” Constr. Build.
Mater., vol. 112, pp. 457–463 (2016).
[6] Jung, W.Y., Yoon, Y.S., and Sohn, Y.M., “Predicting
the remaining service life of land concrete by steel
corrosion.” Cem. Concr. Res., 33(5), pp. 663–677
(2003).
[7] Otieno, M.B., Beushausen, H.D., and Alexander,
M.G., “Chloride-induced corrosion of steel in
cracked concrete-part II: corrosion rate prediction
models,” Cem. Concr. Res., vol. 79, pp. 386–394
(2016).
[8] Care, S., and Raharinaivo, A., “Influence of
impressed current on the initiation of damage in
reinforced mortar due to corrosion of embedded
steel,” Cem. Concr. Res., 37(12), pp. 1598–1612
(2007).
[9] Rahman, M.M., Biswas, M.A.S., and Hoque, K.N.,
“Recent development on micro-texturing of
UHMWPE surfaces for orthopedic bearings: A
review,” Biotribology, vol. 31, pp. 1-10 (2022).
[10] Badawi, M., and Soudki, K., “Control of corrosion-
induced damage in reinforced concrete beams using
carbon fiber-reinforced polymer laminates,” J.
Compos. Constr., 9(2), pp. 195–201 (2005).
[11] Hoque, K. N., “Analysis of structural discontinuities
in ship hull using finite element method,” M.Sc.
Thesis, Department of Naval Architecture and
Marine Engineering, Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka,
Bangladesh (2016).
[12] Presuel-Moreno, F., Balasubramanian, H., and Wu,
Y.-Y., “Corrosion of reinforced concrete pipes: an
accelerated approach,” Corrosion 2013, paper no.
C2013-0002551, Houston, TX: NACE (2013).
[13] Presuel-Moreno, F., Nazim, M. Tang, F., Hoque, K.,
and Bencosme, R., “Corrosion Propagation of
Carbon Steel Rebars in High Performance Concrete,”
BDV27-977-08 Final Report for FDOT (2018).
[14] Feliu, V., Gonzalez, J.A., and Feliu, S., “Corrosion
estimates from transient response to a potential step,”
Corrosion Science, 49(8), pp. 3241-3255 (2007).
58-7
 Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com

[15] Gonzalez, J.A., Miranda, J.M., and Feliu, S.,
“Consideration on the reproducibility of potential and
corrosion rate measurements in reinforced concrete,”
Corrosion Science, 46(10), pp. 2467-2485 (2004).
[16] Hoque, K., “Corrosion propagation of reinforcing
steel embedded in binary and ternary concrete,”
Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Ocean and
Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University
(FAU), Boca Raton, Florida, USA (2020).
[17] Presuel-Moreno, F., and Hoque, K., “Corrosion
propagation of carbon steel rebar embedded in
concrete,” Corrosion 2019, Nashville, Tennessee,
USA (2019).
[18] Presuel-Moreno, F., Hoque, K., and Rosa-Pagan, A.,
“Corrosion propagation monitoring using
galvanostatic pulse on reinforced concrete legacy
samples,” 2020-FAU-02 Final Report for National
University Transportation Center TriDurLE (2022).

Accelerated corrosion of steel rebar in concrete by electromigration… 58-8

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446360

View publication stats