| Advanced System for corrosion potential data acquisition and analysis,allowing the user to quickly identify areas of probable corrosion in the field.
Theory
For steel reinforcing bars in concrete, corrosion is an exchange
of ions from the steel to the concrete. This chemical exchange of
ions produces rust (FeO2). It also produces areas of concrete where
there is a larger concentration of negative ions due to the corrosion
process of the steel reinforcing bar than areas where there is no
corrosion. This larger concentration of ions creates a small electric
voltage potential. By measuring and mapping the voltage potential
found in the concrete we are able to determine rapidly the presence
of corroded steel reinforcement without costly and time consuming
demolition of the concrete.
This is done by recording the voltage between the rebar and a half cell, which is mapped across the surface of the concrete. Areas of rust with high corrosion will exhibit significantly lower voltages than areas without corrosion, thus areas of corroding steel reinforcing bar in concrete can be rapidly found. There is no need to know the exact position of the steel reinforcing bar or the amount of cover, the presence of the steel is all that is required. However, the voltmeter has to be connected to an exposed piece of the rebar network, and because the concrete is being tested, any material on the surface should be removed. |
