Concrete Corrosion Testing and Mapping System

Concrete Corrosion Testing and Mapping System

Concrete Corrosion Testing and Mapping Systems from M.C. Miller help you quickly and accurately determine the condition or likelihood of chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete. That's critical for making informed decisions about your infrastructure. Chlorides cause anodic and cathodic areas to form in steel in concrete, which leads to corrosion. The half-cell method measures that corrosion activity. Our system uses a water-saturated foam sponge to connect the half-cell to the concrete. You get accurate measurements by connecting a cable from the meter to a rebar in the structure. That reading shows you the corrosion activity of the steel near the reference cell.

The probe can be attached to a long handle for ceiling work. Data from the system can be plotted to create a graphic representation of the structure. That lets you determine probable corrosion areas and the total area of the structure that's corroding. Measuring the depth of cover during the corrosion survey is key to understanding the extent of deterioration and planning repairs.

Our Concrete Corrosion Mapping System (CCMS) comes with everything you need to perform a corrosion survey on all types of reinforced concrete structures. That includes bridge decks, highway slabs and parking garages. The kit includes a high-impedance meter, reference electrode with surfactant reservoir, dispensing sponge, two 15-inch extensions, a reel with 250 feet of wire, a reference guide and operating manual-all in a plastic case. The meter has memory for 15,866 half-cell readings. A rebar meter is optional.

The CCMS meets the ASTM C-876 standard test method. Learn about ASTM C143, a key standard for performing concrete slump tests, ensuring proper consistency for your construction projects. It has everything you need to perform a corrosion survey on all types of reinforced concrete structures.

You'll get:

• LC-4.5 Voltmeter (Item #5203)

• Red, 6-foot lead with 27-C (40 Amp) clip (Item #33808)

• Black, 6-foot lead with 27-C (40 Amp) clip (Item #34903)

• Sponge Bottle Electrode—Copper Sulfate Version (Item #15625)

• RE-2.5U Electrode (Item #14905)

• Surfactant Solution, 4 oz (Item #15628)

• Anti-freeze Solution, 8 oz bottle (Item #17105)

• Copper Sulfate Crystals, 12 oz bottle (Item #16906)

• 15-inch intermediate electrode extension (Item #16200)

• Electrode extension adapter for LC-4.5 Voltmeter (Item #5701)

• Agra reel with 250 feet of #16 AWG red wire (Item #30510-250)

• 6-foot banana plug test lead (Item #34120)

• Pelican carrying case for CCMS (Item #CAS015)

• Foam insert for CCMS carrying case (Item #CAS018)

Concrete corrosion testing is a vital process for assessing the condition of reinforced concrete structures. It helps you evaluate the potential for corrosion and determine the rate of corrosion in the concrete. That's essential for condition assessment and identifying potential problems to take corrective action to prevent damage to the structure.

Concrete corrosion is a major problem for concrete structures. Signs of deteriorating concrete—like cracks and rust stains—can lead to safety concerns and increased maintenance costs over time. It occurs when the steel in the concrete corrodes and reduces the structure's strength and stability. Understanding the causes and effects of concrete corrosion is key to developing a plan to prevent and mitigate necessary repairs.

Concrete corrosion is a complex process that's influenced by many factors. At its core, it involves the interaction of the concrete's aggregate type, the amount of water present and the presence of chloride ions. One of the most common types of corrosion is chloride-induced corrosion. That's when chloride ions penetrate the concrete and reach the embedded steel reinforcement, causing it to corrode. This corrosion of metal—specifically steel rebar—compromises the integrity of concrete structures through chemical and electrochemical processes. Carbonation is another type of corrosion. It occurs when carbon dioxide in the air reacts with the concrete, causing it to deteriorate. Understanding the potential difference between anodic and cathodic areas on steel reinforcement is key to developing effective strategies for preventing and mitigating corrosion in concrete structures.

Reinforced Concrete Documents

Concrete Corrosion Mapping System Manual, along with a comprehensive guide for capping concrete, (MAN060) and the Concrete Corrosion Mapping System 2018 Catalog Brochure, are among the resources you'll find in our Reinforced Concrete Documents section.

Evaluating the Concrete Surface

Evaluating the concrete surface is a vital step in assessing the condition of a reinforced concrete structure. Ground-penetrating radar is crucial for estimating concrete thickness, determining compressive strength and locating deteriorated or cracked areas. The concrete surface can provide valuable information about the potential for corrosion and the extent of any damage. Visual inspections can be used to identify signs of corrosion—like cracks, spalls and rust stains. Non-destructive testing methods like impact echo and pulse velocity testing can also be used to evaluate the concrete surface and identify areas of deterioration. You can measure concrete cover to determine the depth of the concrete cover and identify areas where the cover is inadequate. Laboratory analysis of concrete samples is essential for getting accurate results and understanding the condition of reinforced concrete structures.

Factors

Several factors can affect the rate of rebar corrosion in steel-reinforced concrete. The type of aggregate used, the amount of water present, the amount of chloride ions present and the level of carbonation all come into play. For example, incorporating certain aggregates—like limestone or shells—can help reduce corrosion rates. That highlights the importance of tailored repair solutions for concrete exposed to acid. The type of aggregate used can affect the corrosion rate by affecting the pH of the concrete. That, in turn, affects the corrosion process. The amount of water present can also affect the corrosion rate by affecting the flow of ions and the availability of oxygen. Chloride ions can accelerate the corrosion process by breaking down the passive layer on the steel surface. Carbonation can also affect the corrosion rate by reducing the pH of the concrete and increasing the availability of oxygen.

M.C. Miller 15620 Benefits

The M.C. Miller 15620 is a cost-effective non-destructive testing method for evaluating the condition. It's particularly effective in assessing reinforcement corrosion in steel rebar. It measures the electrical response of the reinforcement inside concrete without the need for physical connections to rebar. The system uses electrical resistivity testing and the half-cell potential method to measure the corrosion rate of steel. What you get with the M.C. Miller 15620 are accurate and reliable results, non-destructive and easy to use. You can use it to evaluate in many environments—bridges, buildings and parking structures.

Implementation and Guidelines

When implementing the M.C. Miller 15620, you'll want to follow some guidelines. These will ensure you get the most out of the system and achieve the results you need.

Implementing a corrosion monitoring program for structures is where the real work begins. You need to plan ahead—and execute—that plan. Regular monitoring of steel corrosion is what keeps those structures—both durable and safe—through the years. You can't just guess at the condition of your structures. Non-destructive testing and corrosion evaluations are the keys to understanding what's really going on. To get that right, you need to pick the right testing method, calibrate your equipment and have the right people on the job. Testing needs to be regular, and those results need to be interpreted correctly. Then, you need to develop a maintenance plan that gets to the root of corrosion—and takes steps to prevent it from happening again. By following those guidelines, asset owners and managers can—and should—keep their concrete structures safe and durable for years to come.