MODELIZACIÓN DE PROCESOS DE MACROPAR GALVÁNICO EN ESTRUCTURAS DE HORMIGÓN ARMADO

Abstract

The generation of macrocells in concrete reinforcements is one of the main factors that strongly influences on the increase of corrosion rates in reinforced concrete structures. Therefore, it is fundamental to study these macrocells with the aim to detect the phenomena causing them. Thus, being able to develop monitoring systems for their detection and control. On the other hand, one of the most promising developments to monitor long-term behavior of reinforced structures in real time is the introduction of sensors. Besides, this approach allows monitoring areas of difficult access. The aim of this paper is to do an initial study of both the working procedure of this specific corrosion sensors and their efficiency in the monitoring of corrosion currents in reinforced concrete structures and a first assessment on the impact that macrocells have on reinforced concrete. To achieve this, we have built three geometrically equal concrete specimens. In order to produce macrocells the concrete characteristics composing them vary. The reinforcement of both specimens consists in four stainless steel rebars and six sensors, used to realize the corrosion studies. Concluding that the effect of macropar intensifies corrosion currents and that sensors are an effective technique to monitoring the corrosion processes.