Efficiency of ECE Applied on RC Slab using Locally Available Un-Galvanized Steel with Conductive Cement Paste Anode

Abstract

Electro-chemical Chloride Extraction (ECE) is considered one of the most effective technique used to extract chloride ions from reinforced concrete structures. Effectiveness of using ECE depends on some important factors such as anode type, current intensity, extraction duration, type of rebar and chemical properties of concrete. On the other hand, ECE may cause some detrimental effects on some mechanical properties of concrete and steel such as a reduction in bond and compressive strengths of concrete, and embrittlement (i.e. reduction in ductility) ductility of reinforcing steel. The major aim of this research work was to investigate the effectiveness of ECE using locally available un-galvanized steel mesh with conductive cement paste anode as a new type of anode on a reinforced concrete slab as a structural element. The slab behavior before and after ECE was studied by determining compressive strength, water absorption rate, concrete chloride content and steel corrosion potential. The slab behavior was studied taken into consideration the established steel arrangement with spacing 20 cm between re-bars. Another aim of this research work was to investigate the effect of initial chloride content on chloride extraction efficiency by applying optimum current intensity and duration (3 A/m2 and 6 weeks) on cylinders with pure chloride content 0.4% and 0.8% (by weight of cement). Effectiveness of ECE with small initial chloride content 0.4% and 0.8% was compared with that of high initial chloride content (2.5%) in order to know if the initial chloride content is an important factor on ECE effectiveness or not.