Chloride Distribution and Steel Corrosion in a Concrete Bridge after Long-Term Exposure to Natural Marine Environment

Chloride-induced steel corrosion is the most concerning issue for the durability of concrete structures. Concrete and steel samples were obtained from a 30-year-old reinforced concrete bridge. The chloride content was measured by a potentiometric titration method and the microstructure of concrete was obtained by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The rust phases of the steel were detected by X-ray diffraction and Raman analysis. It was found that the convection depth for chloride transport in cracked concrete was significantly larger than that in uncracked concrete. The concrete in a pier column facing upstream had greater porosity due to the water impact and calcium leaching. The coefficients of variability of chloride diffusivity of concrete for the bridge deck and the pier column were significantly different. Rust phases including lepidocrocite, goethite, akaganeite, magnetite, and maghemite were detected using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The major phases of steel rust in the atmospheric zone were lepidocrocite and goethite, while they were lepidocrocite and maghemite in the tidal zone. The results of this study would provide information concerning the chloride-induced steel corrosion under a marine environment in order to predict long-term behaviors of a reinforced concrete structure.