Penetration of Hardened Concrete by Seawater Chlorides With and Without Impressed Current

Chloride ions in sufficient concentration have been known to shift the potential of steel in concrete in an active direction. Therefore, the rate of chloride ion penetration of concrete structures is of interest to corrosion engineers. This paper reports the results of a laboratory investigation into the rate of seawater chloride penetration of various hardened concrete mixes with and without impressed current conditions. The effects of current densities and duration of exposure were evaluated. Diffusion models predicting the chloride concentration in concrete structures with and without impressed current are proposed.