Effect of calcium hydroxide and chloride ion content on corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete.

The article is focused on the monitoring of corrosion on smooth and ribbed steel bars in laboratory pore solutions with various concentrations of hydroxide (pH 8.5 – 13.0) and chloride ions (0.03, 0.3 and 3.0 % NaCl). The relation between the hydration of Portland cement and its mixed variants and the concentration of hydroxide ions in concrete is described. This concentration is then related to the concentration of critical chloride and the hydroxide ratio. It was observed that the corrosion of steel reinforcement depends on the concentration ratio c(Cl−)/c(OH−) and the found values correspond to results published in the literature. The concentration of hydroxide ions together with chloride concentration significantly influences the corrosion of steel reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]