Influence of Microsilica on Protection from Chloride‐Induced Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel

Abstract

Accelerated corrosion tests were carried out on reinforced‐concrete specimens made with plain and 10% and 20% microsilica‐blended cements. Time to corrosion initiation and corrosion rates of reinforcing steel were measured. Pore fluid was also extracted for analysis from chloride‐bearing hardened cement pastes. Results show that in terms of corrosion‐initiation time, microsilica‐blended cement concretes perform threefold better than the plain cement concrete. After the initiation of corrosion, reinforcing steel in microsilica‐blended cement concrete shows no significant reduction in corrosion rates. Partial cement replacement by microsilica, sharply increases the Cl