Performance of Concrete Subjected to Severe Multiple Actions of Composite Salts Solution under Wet-Dry Cycles and Flexural Loading in Lab

Several action regimes were employed, namely, those exposed to solutions containing single and/or composite chloride and sulfate salts, and under wet-dry cycles and/or flexural loading. The variations in dynamic modulus of elasticity（Erd values） were monitored, as well as the key factor impacting on the chloride ingress when concrete subjected to multiple action regimes was identified by the method of Grey Relation Analysis（GRA）. The changes in micro-structures and mineral products of interior concrete after different action regimes were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction（XRD）, mercury intrusion technique（MIP）, and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The test results showed that the cyclic wet-dry accelerated the deterioration of OPC concrete more than the action of 35% flexural loading based on the results of Erd values and the GEA. The analyses from micro-structures could give certain explanations to the change in Erd values under different action regimes.

Monitoring Chloride Concentrations in Concrete Pore Solutions Using Silver/Nano-silver Chloride Sensors

Corrosion of reinforcing steel is a major cause for degradation of concrete structures,especially when exposed to chloride ions.Thus,the Silver/Nano-silver Chloride (SNSC) electrodes as sensors of chloride concentration were prepared and encapsulated carefully.The properties of the electrode were studied by emerging them in a series of concrete pore solutions with different admixed KCl contents.These SNSC sensors show that good stability in concrete pore solutions at room temperature.Polarization disposal can shorten the stabilized period of the sensors.The electrochemical tests indicate the SNSC sensors with desirable linearity and reproducibility.The response time of SNSC sensors is short enough for monitoring the chloride ions concentration in concrete structures.The good performance of SNSC sensors indicate that they could be embedded in the concrete structures in the future.

The Influence of Ce(NO_3)_3·6H_2O on the Inhibitive Effect of Ca(NO_2)_2 in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution

The effects of cerium nitrite on corrosion behaviors of carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solutions were studied with the methods of linear polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface analysis. In pore solutions in the presence of Ce（NO3）3？6H2O, the corrosion potential, polarization resistance and impedance of carbon steel obviously increased in contrast to the situation in the absence of cerium salts. The pore solution with [NO2-] / [Cl-] = 0.3 and 0.1% Ce（NO3）3？6H2O, carbon steel shows better corrosion resistance than that in the pore solution with [NO2-] / [Cl-] = 0.6, which indicates that a small amount of Ce（NO3）3？6H2O in pore solutions can effectively promote passivation of the steel and reduce the threshold [NO2-] / [Cl-] ratio for corrosion control. The surface layer formed in cerium salt containing pore solutions is more compact and smooth and 1.36%Ce is examined on the sample surface. The addition of 0.1% Ce（NO3）3？6H2O in pore solutions can decrease the corrosion rate of steel in pore solutions and has little influence on pH change of the solutions. However, more cerium nitrate addition above 0.1% may result in pH decrease of the solution.

Electrochemical study on semiconductive properties of the passive film on rebar in concrete

The electrochemical behavior of metallic passive film on rebar in concrete is characterized by its semiconductive nature. The charge distribution at the interface between a semiconductor and an electrolyte is often determined by measuring the capacitance of the space-charge layer （Csc） as a function of the electrode potential （E）. When the space charge-layer serves as the depletion layer, the relation of Csc^-2 vs E resembles a Mott-Schottky plot （M-S plot）. The semiconductive properties of the passive film on rebar in concrete were analyzed with M-S plots to study the effect of chloride ions and mineral admixtures on rebar passive films. Some rebar electrodes were immersed in simulated concrete pore solutions, while others were embedded in concrete with/without mineral admixtures. In saturated Ca（OH）, solutions, the relation of Csc^-2-E of rebar electrodes shows linear MottSchottky relationship indicating that the passive film on rebar is a highly disordered n-type semiconductor, with donor density （ND） in the order of 10^26m^-3. After adding chloride ions （Cl wt%〈0.2%） in system solutions, the M-S plot slopes significantly decreased and ND increased, suggesting that chloride ion will cause passive film corrosion and breakdown. The M-S plots of the passive film on rebar electrodes embedded in concrete were similar to those immersed in simulated system solution. However, ND of those in concrete with mineral admixtures tended to be a little smaller, indicating that introducing proper quantity admixtures into concrete could make the rebar passive film have a thicker space-charge layer and therefore a thicker passive film layer.

Arc-length technique for nonlinear finite element analysis

Nonlinear solution of reinforced concrete structures, particularly complete load-deflection response, requires tracing of the equilibrium path and proper treatment of the limit and bifurcation points. In this regard, ordinary solution techniques lead to instability near the limit points and also have problems in case of snap-through and snap-back. Thus they fail to predict the complete load-displacement response. The arc-length method serves the purpose well in principle, received wide acceptance in finite element analysis, and has been used extensively. However modifications to the basic idea are vital to meet the particular needs of the analysis. This paper reviews some of the recent developments of the method in the last two decades, with particular emphasis on nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures.

High corrosion resistance film on rebar by cerium modification

A cerium film was prepared on the surface of rebar by chemical conversion method to enhance its corrosion resistance.The film in the simulated concrete pore solution was measured by electrochemical method,transmission electron microscope(TEM)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The effect of temperature on film formation was studied,and the optimum temperature was determined at 35℃.The film produced by too high formation temperature has more defects,resulting in the lower corrosion resistance.The Ce film resistance increased with time evolution until 800 h,then decreased and stabilized.The Ce film layer has a double-layer film structure,the upper layer is an oxide of cerium,and the underlayer is an oxide of iron.Results revealed that after being immersed in the simulated concrete pore solution,the corrosion resistance of the Ce film was enhanced by self-densification.