Chloride Threshold Values

Chloride Threshold Values
State of the art
Title of report:
Chloride Threshold Values State of the art
Reference:
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Date:
Danish Expert Centre for Infrastructure Constructions

1.0
December 13, 2012
Prepared by:
Checked by:
Sren L. Poulsen
Henrik E. Srensen
Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

Date:
December 13, 2012
Content
1
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Chloride threshold value ........................................................................................................................... 4
2.1
Definition of chloride threshold value and general concepts ........................................................... 4
2.2
Influential parameters ....................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.1
pH of pore solution .................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.2
Carbonation ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.3
Water/binder ratio .................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.4
Type of binder............................................................................................................................ 8
2.2.5
Oxygen availability and moisture content ............................................................................... 10
2.2.6
Temperature ............................................................................................................................ 11
2.2.7
Electrochemical potential of the embedded steel .................................................................. 11
2.2.8
Surface condition of the steel.................................................................................................. 12
2.2.9
Condition of the steel-concrete interface ............................................................................... 12
2.2.10
Method of chloride introduction ............................................................................................. 13
2.2.11
Cracks....................................................................................................................................... 13
Test methods ........................................................................................................................................... 14

3.1
Methods for detecting or quantifying chloride in concrete ............................................................ 14
3.1.1
Colourimetric spray indicator (silver nitrate) .......................................................................... 15
3.1.2
Volhard titration [NT Build 208, 1984] .................................................................................... 15
3.1.3
Potentiometric titration .......................................................................................................... 15
3.1.4
Ion selective electrode ............................................................................................................ 15
3.1.5
X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry ........................................................................................... 16
3.1.6
Quantab chloride titrators ....................................................................................................... 16
3.1.7
Scanning electron microscopy ................................................................................................. 16
3.1.8
Expression of pore solution ..................................................................................................... 16
3.1.9
Leaching techniques ................................................................................................................ 17
3.2
Methods for determination of corrosion initiation ......................................................................... 18
3.2.1
Potential shift (open circuit measurements) ........................................................................... 18
3.2.2
Linear polarization resistance (LPR) ........................................................................................ 18
3.2.3
Macrocell current .................................................................................................................... 19
3.2.4
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) ...................................................................... 19
3.2.5
Galvanostatic pulse method .................................................................................................... 20
3.2.6
Visual examination .................................................................................................................. 20

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Chloride threshold values from the literature......................................................................................... 20
RILEM project .......................................................................................................................................... 22
Summary.................................................................................................................................................. 23
References ............................................................................................................................................... 24
Appendix 1: Chloride threshold values from the literature.30

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Introduction
It is widely recognized that the ingress of chlorides into concrete can initiate reinforcement
corrosion and ultimately result in deterioration of the concrete structure under chloride attack. The importance of chloride induced corrosion is reflected by the extensive number of
scientific publications that has previously been dedicated to this phenomenon.
A crucial input parameter for the modelling of the service lifetime of reinforced concrete
structures is the so-called chloride threshold value, which may be defined as the minimum
concentration of chloride at the depth of the reinforcement that is able to initiate corrosion
of the steel. Without an experimentally determined chloride threshold value engineers are
generally forced to make rather conservative guesses about this value, thus potentially underestimating the service lifetime dramatically.
Reported chloride threshold values in the literature display a wide scatter, which is due to
the fact that: (1) numerous different experimental approaches have been employed to obtain the chloride threshold value, and (2) the chloride threshold value is influenced by numerous different parameters . In order to make reasonable and scientifically sound comparison of experimentally determined chloride threshold values, a generally accepted test
method for determination of this parameter is greatly needed. Presently, such a method is
still lacking.
The present state of the art report is based on a literature study on the topic of chloride
threshold values, which has been carried out as part of a current project concerned with the
development of a useful and fast in-lab reference method for determination of chloride
threshold values. The project is associated with the Danish Expert Centre for Infrastructure
Constructions, Danish Technological Institute and the literature study was done in order not
to repeat research work and experiments that have already been performed by other researchers. The study was also undertaken in order to obtain an overview of the challenges/pitfalls within this research area, as well as to identify were future research might be
needed.
This report presents the most important parameters affecting the chloride threshold and
gives a review of available experimental methods for quantification/detection of chloride in
concrete and techniques for detection of reinforcement corrosion. A section is also devoted
to the presentation of chloride threshold values from the literature and finally the report
addresses the work of a RILEM committee (TC 235 CTC), which is concerned with the development of a generally accepted test method for determination of chloride threshold values
in concrete.
It is noted, that the main reason for preparing this report, was an internal need within the
Expert Centre to obtain a general overview of the most important findings from essential re3

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search carried out in relation to the topic of chloride threshold values. The reader is referred to the report by Angst & Vennesland [2007] for a more detailed and comprehensive
review of the topic.
Chloride threshold value
2.1
Definition of chloride threshold value and general concepts

Chloride induced corrosion is a concern in relation to reinforced concrete structures exposed
to seawater or if the structure is exposed to de-icing salts (e.g. bridges during the winter). By
the action of wind and rain, the salt is moved to other parts of the structure where scaling
may occur through evaporation processes. This is mainly true for concrete of poor quality
with high water/cement ratios, and is generally not a concern for good quality concrete prescribed for an aggressive environment.
Once the chloride ions have reached the surface of the concrete they can subsequently penetrate the concrete cover and reach the reinforcement where they act as catalysts for the
corrosion process at the steel surface. Reinforcing steel is normally passivated (i.e. the corrosion rate is insignificant) in concrete due to the alkaline nature of the pore solution, which
promotes the formation of a barrier film consisting of iron oxides on the surface of the
steel. However, the steel can become depassivated provided that a certain threshold concentration of chloride ions is reached at the steel surface. The chloride threshold value may
thus be defined as the minimum concentration of chloride at the depth of the reinforcement, which results in active (pitting) corrosion of the steel. It has also been suggested that
the chloride threshold value may be defined as the chloride concentration at the steel surface at the time when deterioration or damage of the concrete commences [Schiessl et al.,
1982]. However, the first definition is applied exclusively in this report. Sometimes chloride
threshold value is also referred to as chloride threshold level, critical chloride content or chloride threshold concentration.
According to a very popular model put forth by Tuutti [1982] the service life of reinforced
concrete may be separated into two periods (Figure 1). During the initiation period the reinforcing steel remains passivated, but as the chloride threshold value is reached at the steel
surface, localized (pitting) corrosion begins, thus marking the transition to the so-called
propagation period in which active corrosion occurs. However, the service lifetime of a reinforced structure is also often regarded as being equal to the duration of the initiation period,
but this might not be appropriate, since it is very unlikely that all of the reinforcement will
begin to corrode at the same time.
The service lifetime may instead be more conveniently defined as the time at which a certain
fractile (for example the 5%-fractile) of the structure in an inspection zone has stated to cor4

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rode [Nilsson et al., 1996]. On the other hand, rather localized corrosion can also become
hazardous if the reinforcement of a particularly critical cross-section of the concrete structure is severely corroded.
When trying to estimate the service lifetime of a reinforced concrete structure two main parameters must generally be considered: (1) Chloride transport processes through the concrete and (2) the conditions required for corrosion initiation (chloride threshold value). Traditionally, the first of these two parameters has received the largest share of attention in the
literature, but without an appropriately chosen chloride threshold value the estimated duration of the service lifetime becomes rather meaningless. It is therefore very important to be
able to experimentally determine the chloride threshold value in a reliable manner. Unfortunately, a generally accepted method for determination of the chloride threshold value in
reinforced concrete is still lacking.
Fig. 1 Schematic sketch of Tuuttis model for the service lifetime of reinforced concrete. Modified after Fig. 1 in Tuutti [1982].

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Influential parameters
The passivity of reinforcing steel in concrete is influenced by a wide range of factors, as illustrated in Figure 2. Similarly, the chloride threshold value for corrosion initiation on reinforcing steel in concrete is influenced by several different parameters, the most important of
which are presented in the following.
Fig. 2 Diagram showing the wide range of factors, which influence the passivity of reinforcing steel in
concrete. The figure is a modified version of Fig. 1 in [Arup, 1993].
2.2.1 pH of pore solution

Typically, the pore solution of concrete has a pH-value above 12.6 due to the presence of
portlandite (Ca(OH)2), and even higher values can be observed for concrete rich in NaOH and
KOH. The highly alkaline environment of the pore solution favors the formation of a passive
oxide film on the surface of the steel reinforcement and a high pH-value is therefore an important inhibiting factor with regard to corrosion initiation Angst and Vennesland, 2007. It
should be noted that the pH of the pore solution may change with time as a consequence of
phenomena such as carbonation (see section 2.2.2) or continued hydration reactions of the
binder components.
In addition to the inhibiting effect on corrosion initiation, the pH may also affect the binding
of chlorides. Studies have shown that a reduction of the pH to a value below 12.5 results in
the release of a considerable part of the bound chlorides, while yet another part is released
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if the pH value is reduced to a value around 12 Glass et al., 2000; Reddy et al., 2002. The
release of bound chlorides has been ascribed to the dissolution of Friedels salt and C-S-H
phases as a result of reduced alkalinity.
Based on experiments with steel bars in synthetic concrete pore solutions, Hausmann 1967
and Gouda 1970 have proposed that the chloride threshold value is most accurately expressed using the Cl-/OH- ratio. These early works suggested a chloride threshold value of
about 0.6, a result that was later supported by Tuutti 1982, and it seems well-established
that the pH of the pore solution has a major influence on the amount of chloride that leads
to initiation of pitting corrosion.
2.2.2 Carbonation
A significant drop in pH of the pore solution accompanies the carbonation of concrete, and
the chloride threshold value is virtually reduced to zero if the carbonation process reaches
the depth of reinforcement Nilsson et al., 1996. This is due to the fact that steel is not passive in the pH environment associated with carbonated concrete, and pitting corrosion is
thus easily initiated when chloride is present. The corrosion process is further promoted by
carbonation since the chloride binding capacity of the binder is reduced by the carbonation,
which subsequently leads to an increase in the concentration of free chlorides in the pore
solution. It should be noted, that the corrosion of steel reinforcement can also occur in carbonated concrete even if chloride ions are not present in the pore solution, because the protective oxide film on the steel surface is generally depassivated at the pH value associated
with carbonated concrete.
2.2.3 Water/binder ratio

Experimental data have indicated that concretes with lower water/binder ratios exhibit
higher chloride threshold values as compared to concretes having higher water/binder ratios
Pettersson, 1992, 1994; Schiessel and Breit, 1995 (Figure 3). This is most likely due to the
following consequences of a low water/binder ratio Nilsson et al., 1996:
Reduced area available for development of pitting corrosion caused by a denser

steel-concrete interface.
Higher resistivity of the concrete.
Lower chloride mobility resulting in a reduction of the catalytic effect of the chloride
ions.
Improved ability to maintaining a high alkalinity of the pore solution due to a reduced leaching rate for alkalis and a buffer of unreacted cement particles.

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Fig. 3 Experimental data illustrating the influence of water/binder ratio on the chloride threshold value for initiation of corrosion in submerged concrete or mortar. The figure is taken from Nilsson et al.
[1996] and based on experimental data from Pettersson [1992, 1993 and 1994].
2.2.4 Type of binder

A survey of the literature reveals rather conflicting results regarding the effect of supplementary cementitious materials on the chloride threshold value. Below, the effect of ground
granulated blast-furnace slag, fly ash and silica fume is treated individually, and the effect of
different types of Portland cement on the chloride threshold value is presented as well.
Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS)

Partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with GGBS has been reported to
increase the chloride binding capacity of the binder Arya, 1993; Dhir et al., 1996; Luo
et al., 2003. This is probably due to the relatively high content of alumina in GGBS,
which facilitates the formation of additional Friedels salt. However, the addition of
GGBS also has the effect of reducing the pH value of the pore solution Cheng et al.,
2005, which promotes the initiation of pitting corrosion. These two mechanisms (increased chloride binding capacity and reduced pH of the pore solution) have each the
opposite effect on the chloride threshold value, thus making it difficult to make general
conclusions regarding the overall influence of replacing OPC with GGBS. It should also
be mentioned that GGBS can act as an internal chloride source if the production of the
GGBS involves quenching in seawater Neville, 1995.
Both Gauda and Halaka 1970 as well as MacPhee and Cao 1993 have reported reduced chloride threshold values for slag-containing concrete compared to concrete
with plain Portland cement. On the other hand, Schiessl and Breit 1996 found higher
chloride threshold values for concrete with GGBS compared with concrete without
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GGBS. Some studies have also concluded that that the addition of GGBS has no effect
on the threshold value Bamforth and Chapman-Andrews, 1994; Thomas et al., 1990.
Fly ash
The addition of fly ash to the binder of concrete has two main influences on the chloride threshold value: (1) The high content of alumina in fly ash increases the chloride
binding capacity of the binder Arya, 1990; Dhir and Jones, 1999, and (2) the pH value
of the pore solution is lowered Byfors, 1987; Diamond, 1981. As with the addition of
GGBS, it is difficult to make generalized conclusions about the effect of fly ash on the
chloride threshold value, since the two abovementioned effects inhibit and promote
the initiation of pitting corrosion, respectively. In a study on reinforced concrete samples that had been exposed to marine environment for up to four years Thomas 1995
found that the chloride threshold value became progressively lower as the amount of
fly ash in the concrete mix increased. Alternatively, Bamforth and Chapman-Andrews
1994 and Thomas et al. 1990 have reported that the addition of fly ash to concrete
has no effect on the chloride threshold value. It is also worth noting that a partial replacement of Portland cement by fly ash (or GGBS) results in a refinement of the pore
structure of the cement paste, which leads to a higher resistance of the concrete
against the ingress of chloride ions Angst and Vennesland, 2007. This has no direct influence on the chloride threshold value, but the increased electrochemical resistance
will decrease both chloride mobility and macrocell current and thereby probably result
in a higher chloride threshold value.
Silica fume
Lower chloride binding capacity have been reported for silica fume-containing cement
as compared to pure Portland cement Page and Vennesland, 1993; Arya et al., 1990.
This may partly be a consequence of the reduced amount of aluminate phases present
in a binder where the Portland cement has been partially replaced by silica fume (almost pure SiO2). Silica fume is a very fine-grained material and its presence as part of
the binder in a concrete will lead to a more refined pore structure, which may enhance
the physical adsorption of chloride to the surface of the C-S-H gel Angst and
Vennesland, 2007. However, Larsen 1998 has reported that the C-S-H formed by the
pozzolanic reaction of silica fume with portlandite (Ca(OH)2) may have lower chloride
binding properties than C-S-H formed by hydration of pure Portland cement.
The pH value of the pore solution is affected by the addition of silica fume, as the consumption of Ca(OH)2 results in a decrease of the alkalinity Byfors, 1987. This ultimately lowers the chloride binding capacity, since the solubility of Friedels salt increases
with decreasing pH of the pore solution Page and Vennesland, 1993. The negative effect of silica fume on the chloride threshold value has been demonstrated experimen-

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tally in a number of studies Hansson and Srensen, 1990; Pettersson, 1993; Manera,
2007.
Effect of Portland cement type

The choice of cement type indirectly affects the chloride threshold value since the chloride binding capacity of concrete is dependent on the type of cement used in the mix. It
seems well established that the chloride binding capacity of Portland cement is highly
dependent on the content of C3A Schiessl and Raupach, 1990. For example, the lower
binding capacity of sulphate resisting Portland cements (low in C3A) have been indicated by shorter corrosion initiation time and increased active corrosion rate for these
cements as compared to Portland cement high in C3A Rasheeduzzafar et al., 1992, but
Byfors 1990 found the opposite effect for a sulphate resisting Portland cement rich in
ferrite (C4AF). Furthermore, based on thermodynamic considerations as well as experimental evidence, Nielsen 2004 concluded that amount of alumina in a Portland cement has a relatively minor effect on the chloride binding capacity. Instead, the chloride binding was found to be much more dependent on the content of alkalis, with
higher contents of alkalis resulting in lower amounts of bound chlorides.
2.2.5 Oxygen availability and moisture content

Availability of both oxygen and water is required for active pitting corrosion to occur (Figure
4). The corrosion process involves the cathodic reduction of oxygen, and the amount of
available water is an important parameter for the distribution between free and bound chlorides. The content of water also determines the chloride concentration and if the concrete is
rather dry the electrolytic corrosion process becomes restricted Angst and Vennesland,
2007.
The transport of oxygen through concrete is dependent on the relative humidity Tuutti,
1982 and a dramatic reduction in oxygen transport rate can be observed if the pores become saturated. This due to the fact that oxygen diffusion through gas (air) is orders of magnitude higher than diffusion through liquid (water-filled pores). Furthermore, the steel potential in concrete, an important factor when considering the initiation of corrosion, is closely linked to the availability of free oxygen: The steel potential is reduced when the availability of oxygen is limited, which implies that the chloride threshold value is higher for reinforcement in submerged concrete structures as compared to reinforcement in concrete subjected to repeating cycles of drying and wetting. This has been confirmed by experimental
result reported by Pettersson 1990.
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Anodic reaction:
2+
Fe Fe + 2e
Cathodic reaction:
O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4 OH
Fig. 4 Schematic illustration of the corrosion process in reinforced concrete, which involves the anodic
and cathodic reactions. After Mackechnie et al. [2001].
2.2.6 Temperature
It is well-known that an increase in temperature leads to a reduced corrosion resistance of
stainless steel in chloride solutions Mattsson, 1992. Correspondingly, it seems reasonable
to expect that the chloride threshold value for reinforcement in concrete will decrease with
increasing temperature, but direct experimental evidence for such a relationship is lacking.
Hussain and Rasheeduzzafar 1993 have studied the effect of curing temperature on the
binding of chloride for a series of cement pastes. Chloride was added through the mix water
at three different levels (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2% by weight of cement) and samples were cured for
180 days at either 20 or 70C. Based on the analysis of extracted pore solutions it was concluded that the amount of unbound chlorides increases with increased temperature. They
also found that the concentration of hydroxyl ions in the pore solution decreased with increasing temperature. The [Cl-]/[OH-] ratio was therefore found to be considerably higher at
70C as compared to 20C, thus indicating an increase in corrosion risk. The activation energy required to break down the passive oxide film on the steel surface may also be affected
by the temperature Glass and Buenfeld, 1995.
2.2.7 Electrochemical potential of the embedded steel

The availability of oxygen and the moisture content at the steel surface are the two main
factors determining the electrochemical potential of steel embedded in concrete, which is a
very important parameter in relation to corrosion initiation. In order for pitting corrosion to
occur the so-called equilibrium potential (Ecorr) must be higher than the pitting potential
(Epit), i.e. Ecorr > Epit. The pitting potential is dependent on the concentration of chlorides and
the presence of chlorides at the steel surface has the effect of changing Epit to more negative
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values. Consequently, higher contents of chlorides can be tolerated if the steel has a more
negative potential.
For reinforcement in structures exposed to an atmospheric environment electrochemical
potentials are typically found in the range between +100 mV and -200 mV vs. SCE Bertolini,
2004, whereas the potential for reinforcement in submerged concrete structure usually
have values around -400 to -500 mV vs. SCE. Higher chloride threshold values are thus expected for submerged concrete structures as compared to the ones under atmospheric exposure.
2.2.8 Surface condition of the steel

Several studies have demonstrated that the surface condition of the reinforcement has a
significant influence on the chloride threshold value. In laboratory based investigations the
steel may be subjected to a variety of different treatments before the testing is done. For
example, the steel bars can be sandblasted, polished, chemically cleaned or pre-rusted, or
the steel may be used as-received. Moreover, the surface of the steel bar can be either
ribbed or smooth.
Mohammed and Hamada 2006 investigated the corrosion resistance of steel bars with various surface conditions (mill-scaled, polished, black- and brown-rusted, and bars that were
covered with cement paste before casting (i.e. pre-passivated)). They reported that the chloride threshold value was highest for pre-passivated steel followed by gradually decreasing
threshold values in the following order: black-rusted > polished > brown-rusted > millscaled. In a study on the corrosion behavior of different types of stainless steel Kouil et al.
2010 found that the presence of scales on the steel surface leads to a significant decrease
in corrosion resistance. Mammoliti et al. 1996 obtained higher chloride threshold values
for polished steel surfaces as compared to ground or as-received samples, while Manera
et al. 2007 found higher chloride threshold values for sandblasted steel bars as compared
to steel bars with as-received surface conditions. Unfortunately, details regarding the conditions of the steel surface are often not reported in the literature, in spite of its strong influence on the chloride threshold value.
2.2.9 Condition of the steel-concrete interface

A dense layer of hydration products (containing a high proportion of Ca(OH)2) is usually
found at the interface between the reinforcing steel and the concrete Page, 1975. This layer can be of great importance for the chloride threshold value, since it has the ability to
buffer the pH of the pore solution. At the same time, the dense layer of solid material may
act as a physical barrier, which inhibits the charge transfer in certain areas, thus affecting the
potential of the steel by limiting the area available for oxygen reduction Page, 1975; Glass
and Buenfeld, 1995.
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Due to incomplete compaction or low workability of the concrete, macroscopic voids may be
present at the steel-concrete interface, and Mohammed and Hamada 2001 have found
that the direction of casting with respect to the orientation of the reinforcement affects the
formation of voids. If the reinforcement is ribbed, it may also favor the formation of voids.
The abovementioned dense layer may be weakened or absent in such voids, and Yonesawa
et al. 1988 have reported that the chloride threshold value is significantly lower if the development of the dense layer at the steel-concrete interface is restricted. It has also been
reported that the corrosion preferably occurs at the corners or indents of the profiling
Hansson and Srensen, 1990. In a recent study, Ann and Song 2007 found that the physical condition of the steel-concrete interface is more important for the chloride threshold
value than the binding of chlorides or the buffering capacity of the cement paste matrix, especially the content of entrapped air voids was emphasized as being influential. Considering
the importance of the conditions at steel-concrete interface for the chloride threshold value,
it is unfortunate that these conditions are so difficult to quantify; it is very challenging to
measure the volume of air-filled voids and other defects at the interface Angst and
Vennesland, 2007.
2.2.10 Method of chloride introduction

Reinforced concrete with cast-in chloride may be expected to have a different chloride
threshold value in comparison with concrete exposed to chlorides from an external source
[Nilsson et al., 1996]. This is due to a greater proportion of the chlorides being chemically
bound to the hydration products, thus leading to a reduced concentration of free chlorides
in the pore solution [Cavalier and Vassie, 1981].
2.2.11 Cracks
The presence of macrocracks (0.1 0.8 mm wide at the surface) in concrete can affect the
chloride threshold value significantly [Pettersson et al., 1996], enhancing the transport rate
of chloride. The effect of such macrocracks on the chloride threshold value is dependent on
the size of the cracks, the exposure conditions and the cover thickness. Pettersson [1996]
reported that the chloride threshold value was only marginally reduced for a submerged
high performance concrete (30 mm cover thickness, water/binder ratio = 0.3, and 0.4 crack
width) as compared with submerged, but uncracked, concrete. However, the chloride
threshold value was reduced to almost zero when the same concrete (with cracks) was exposed to air.
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Test methods
Generally, an experimental determination of the chloride threshold value for reinforced
concrete must include the following four steps:
A reinforcement bar (steel electrode) is embedded in a cement-based material, such as

mortar or concrete, or immersed in a solution that simulates the concrete (synthetic
pore solution/alkaline solution).
Chlorides are introduced to the system. The chlorides can be added to the mix initially
or introduced later by some kind of chloride exposure.
Detection of corrosion initiation, for instance by measurement of potential shift or by
visual inspection.
Quantification of the chloride concentration at the time of corrosion onset. The concentration is determined as either total or free amount of chlorides, or as the Cl-/OH ratio.
As pointed out by Angst and Vennesland 2009, these four experimental steps offer a wide
range of alternative routes, which can be chosen in order to reach a determination of the
chloride threshold value. For example, when deciding which type of steel electrode to use
for the experimental setup a variety of options exists: The steel bars can be smooth or
ripped and they can be prepared in different ways (as-received, pre-rusted, polished, sandblasted, etc.). Furthermore, a variety of steel types exist, such as normal carbon steel, galvanized steel and stainless steel.
The introduction of chlorides to the steel electrode also offers a number of alternative approaches. The type of chloride source must be select (typically NaCl or CaCl2), and the chlorides can be introduced to hardened samples (cement paste, mortar or concrete) by either
capillary suction and/or diffusion, or by some type of accelerated migration method. Alternatively, the chloride can be added initially during mixing of the paste/mortar/concrete. As
for the detection of corrosion onset, numerous approaches exist (see Section 3.2). Lastly, the
chloride content at the steel electrode can be determined (and expressed) in a variety of
ways (see Section 3.1).
3.1
Methods for detecting or quantifying chloride in concrete

This section presents a selection of techniques that are commonly used for detecting or
quantifying the content chloride in cement-based materials. A quantification of the chloride
content at the depth of the reinforcement bar is the final step in an experimental determination of the chloride threshold value for the sample under investigation, and the chloride
threshold value is usually expressed as either:
Total chloride (by weight of cement/binder or by concrete).

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Free chloride (by weight of cement/binder or by concrete).

Free chloride ion concentration (expressed as either mole/l or by the [Cl-]/[OH-] ratio).
3.1.1 Colourimetric spray indicator (silver nitrate)

The presence of chloride in hardened concrete can be detected qualitatively by spraying a
freshly broken concrete surface with a suitable indicator (typically 0.1N AgNO3). This simple
test method exists in different varieties, but generally the presence of chloride will be revealed by a change in colour [Bamforth et al., 1997]. The spray indicator test offers a rapid
and practical method for visual examination of chloride penetration in hardened cementbased materials. However, this technique cannot be used to accurately quantify the content
of chloride, but is merely applicable for obtaining a rough estimate of the chloride penetration depth.
3.1.2 Volhard titration [NT Build 208, 1984]

The NT Build 208 method [1984] can be used for determination of the total content of chloride in hardened concrete by dissolving a powdered concrete sample in a solution of nitric
acid. Subsequently, the chloride content is determined by Volhard titration. The precision of
the method is good provided that the sample contains about 2 g of cement and that the
measurement is carried out by an experienced laboratory.
The total content of chloride in concrete is often assumed to be equal to the content of acid
soluble chloride. However, Dhir et al. [1990] have demonstrated that it may represent only
90% of the total content of chloride due to incomplete dissolution.
3.1.3 Potentiometric titration

The total chloride content of hardened concrete can also be measured by potentiometric titration with silver nitrate by using a silver electrode, since the potential of an immersed silver electrode is a function of the concentration of silver ions in the solution. Initially, the
powdered concrete sample is immersed in nitric acid in order to extract the chloride ions.
This method offers a very good precision (if the operator is skilled and calibration is performed carefully).
3.1.4 Ion selective electrode

A chloride selective electrode embedded in concrete can be used to determine the content
of free chloride in the pore solution. In essence, the activity of the chloride ions in solution is
measured using e.g. a silver/silver chloride electrode. Investigations by Atkins et al. [1996]
have demonstrated a good correlation between chloride concentrations obtained from ex15

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tracted pore solutions with measured values from silver/silver chloride electrodes. However,
the durability of the silver/silver chloride electrode has often been poor [magler reference].
3.1.5 X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry
The total content of chloride in a concrete sample can be determined using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry [Dhir et al., 1990]. Measurements are performed on pressed powder samples and the method does not require any acid digestion or extraction prior to analysis, but calibration standards with known content of chloride must be prepared [Building Research Establishment, 1977]. A drawback is the requirement of expensive equipment and a
high level of expertise. Normally, the method is restricted to laboratories handling large
numbers of samples.
3.1.6 Quantab chloride titrators

The total chloride content in a powdered concrete sample can be quantified using a socalled Quantab chloride titrator, which consists of a thin, chemically inert plastic sheath.
Laminated within the sheath is a strip impregnated with a reagent. When the Quantab test
strip is placed in a test solution, fluid rises up the strip by capillary action, and the reagent
reacts with the chloride ion in the solution and produces a white column in the strip. The
height of this column is proportional to the total chloride concentration. While this represents a convenient test method, Dhir et al. [1990] points out that the chloride content might
be underestimated due to incomplete chloride extraction caused by an insufficient concentration of the nitric acid solution used in this test. Furthermore, the Quantab test method is
limited to chloride concentrations in the range from 0.03% to 1.2% by weight of concrete.
3.1.7 Scanning electron microscopy

The total chloride content of hardened concrete can be determined using a scanning electron microscope provided that the microscope is equipped with an energy dispersive X-Ray
(EDX) analyzer. The determination of the chloride concentration is based on the interaction
between some X-ray source and the sample (polished thin section). However, this technique
is expensive and requires extensive sample preparation as well as an operator with a high
level of expertise.
3.1.8 Expression of pore solution

The pore solution of a concrete sample can be expressed, and subsequently collected for
chemical analysis, by subjecting the sample of interest to a very high pressure. This method
is often used to determine the amount of free chlorides in concrete [Ayra and Newman,
1990]. However, according to Glass et al. [1996] the pore pressing may also release loosely
bound chlorides, thus overestimating the amount of free chlorides. Arya [1990] also pointed
out that this technique involves some practical difficulties, especially when working with
concrete samples having low water/cement ratios or containing coarse aggregate particles,
16

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or if the samples are rather dry. Moreover, it is also important to note that the method gives
an average value of the concrete volume under investigation, which may lead to inaccurate
results in the case of high concentration gradients in the pore solution.
3.1.9 Leaching techniques

As an alternative to the expression of pore solution by pressure, the content of free chlorides may also be determined using a leaching technique. Several different varieties of the
method have been used in the past using different solvents or different procedures with regard to leaching time and temperature. Generally, a crushed or powdered sample is mixed
with a solvent and the amount of chloride passing into solution is subsequently measured.
The most commonly used solvent is distilled water and the chloride concentration obtained
from leaching methods is often referred to as water soluble chloride and is sometimes considered to be equal to free chloride.
Methanol and ethyl alcohol have also been used as alternative solvents. However, these are
not very effective in leaching out the free chloride. The measured concentrations are up to
10 to 20 times lower when compared to the free chloride concentration found by pore solution expression [Tritthart, 1989; Arya et al., 1987]. The chloride concentrations obtained
from the leaching techniques has also been found to be dependent on such factors as temperature and leaching time, and it has been demonstrated that the cement type and source
of chloride (mixed-in or external) have to be known in order to select an accurate leaching
procedure. Therefore, the technique is not very practical for determining the free chloride
content [Arya, 1990].
Castelotte [2001] has presented a leaching technique to determine the amount of free chlorides of hardened cementitious materials. The principle is to extract the free chlorides by
leaving the sample material in an alkaline solvent for 24 h. At a chloride content of 0.5% (by
weight of sample) the method overestimated the free chloride content significantly, but at
higher chloride contents the method corresponded better to results obtained from pore solution expression. It should be noted that rather high chloride concentrations have been
used in this study, and it is uncertain if the method is also sufficiently accurate at lower and
more practical chloride concentrations.
Leaching techniques are rarely used in Europe, whereas water soluble chloride analysis is
used as a standard method [AASHTO T260-97, 2005] in North America.
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December 13, 2012
Methods for determination of corrosion initiation
3.2.1 Potential shift (open circuit measurements)

The initiation of reinforcement corrosion in concrete can be detected by continuously measuring the potential of the steel bar under investigation. This is due to the fact that actively
corroding steel has much more negative potentials than passive steel in concrete. The onset
of corrosion is therefore indicated by a significant change in potential of the reinforcement
steel [Hausmann, 1967; Gouda, 1970; Zimmermann, 2000]. Principally, this techniques
measures the potential of the steel with respect to a standard reference electrode, e.g. saturated calomel electrode (SCE), copper/copper sulfate electrode (CSE) or silver/silver chloride
electrode [Song and Sarawasthy, 2007]. Table 3.1 presents some probabilities of reinforcement corrosion according to the ASTM C 876 standard [1999]. However, it could be argued
that this approach is too simple to be able to include varying exposure conditions, and it
should probably only be used for concrete exposed in the atmospheric zone.
In an open circuit test setup the electrochemical potential of the steel electrode is very dependent on the oxygen availability, and the choice of exposure conditions (submerged, cyclic
wetting, etc.) will greatly influence the chloride threshold value. Also, a notable limitation of
the method is the lack of a universal correlation between corrosion rate and potential. For
instance, for submerged concrete structures the oxygen availability can be significantly reduced and it is thus possible to measure potentials as low as -800 mV vs. CSE without occurrence of any corrosion [Bamforth et al., 1997] and a significant change in potential cannot be
considered as a direct proof of corrosion initiation, since a potential drop also can be caused
by other phenomena as well.
Table 3.1 Conditions of reinforcement corrosion related to open circuit potential measurements. [acc.
to ASTM C 876]
Open circuit potential values
Corrosion condition
[mV vs. SCE]
[mV vs. CSE]
< -426
<-500
Severe corrosion
<-276
< -350
High (<90% risk of corrosion)
-126 to -275
-350 to -200
Intermediate corrosion risk
> -125
> -200
Low (10% risk of corrosion)
3.2.2 Linear polarization resistance (LPR)

The instantaneous corrosion rate of a steel electrode can be determined by measuring the
so-called linear polarization resistance [Bamforth et al., 1997; Angst and Vennesland, 2007].
The principle of the method is to apply a small current to the reinforcement in order to po18

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December 13, 2012
larize it between 10 and 30 mV. This current is interrupted and the following response of the
reinforcement potential is measured with time. The polarization curve is approximately linear near the corrosion potential, and the experimental measurement of the polarization
curve in a small range around the equilibrium potential can yield the slope of the curve
(E/I), which is defined as the polarization resistance Rp. The corrosion rate is finally obtained by employing the Stern-Geary equation:
where B is a constant that depends on the anodic and cathodic Tafel slopes and A is the polarized surface area on the reinforcement.
This technique is non-destructive and very fast, but in order to detect the initiation of active
reinforcement corrosion, a significant corrosion rate has to be defined. A sustained current
density of 0.1 A/cm2 is generally accepted as the value above which the reinforcement is
considered to be actively corroding [Andrade et al., 2004]. A downside of the technique is
the required acquisition of rather advanced and expensive equipment.
3.2.3 Macrocell current

By connecting a steel electrode (reinforcement bar) to a counter electrode, a macrocell is
formed and the current flow between those two electrodes can be monitored. Onset of reinforcement corrosion is indicated by a significant increase in current. Sometimes the working
electrode (reinforcement bar) is polarized and held at a constant potential during the experiment (potentiostatic control) [Angst and Vennesland, 2007].
3.2.4 Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) can be used to measure the corrosion rate of
reinforcement in concrete. The technique is non-destructive and is generally suitable for
studying electrochemical processes in inhomogeneous or multiphase materials. An alternating voltage of about 10 to 20 mV is applied to the reinforcement and the resulting current is
measured for a range of frequencies [Song and Sarawathy, 2007]. The obtained electrochemical impedance spectra can be interpreted to give values such as the polarization resistance, which subsequently can be used to calculate the corrosion rate [Elsener and Bhni,
1986; Li and Sags, 2001]. Disadvantages of the technique include the requirement of expensive equipment, sophisticated software for data analysis as well as a skilled operator
[Bamforth et al., 1997].
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3.2.5 Galvanostatic pulse method

The galvanostatic pulse method [Elsener et al. 1994] is a rapid and non-destructive technique that can be used to measure the corrosion rate of reinforcement in concrete. The
method relies on polarization resistance (Rp) measurements which are carried out by inducing a short anodic current pulse (50 A) into the reinforcement galvanostatically (= constant
current) from a counter electrode placed on the concrete surface together with a reference
electrode. The counter electrode measures the resulting transient anodic change of the reinforcement potential, and the results may be presented as a contour map of corrosion rate
values. The galvanostatic pulse method can be performed using hand-held equipment.
3.2.6 Visual examination
Initiation of reinforcement corrosion can be identified by visual inspection of the steel surface if the reinforcement is removed physically from the concrete. Since the method is destructive and only can be performed once, the accuracy is inherently low: The amount of
time that has passed between the actual corrosion onset and visual observation of rust on
the steel surface is unknown [Angst and Vennesland, 2007]. The method has mostly been
used in earlier works, but is also used today as a supplement to other techniques.
Chloride threshold values from the literature

A table of chloride threshold values from the literature is presented in Appendix 1. As mentioned earlier, the chloride threshold value for reinforcement in concrete can be expressed
as either total content of chloride (% by weight of cement or concrete), content of free chloride (e.g. mole/l or % by weight of cement) or as the [Cl-]/[OH-] ratio, and the reported
threshold values in the Appendix 1 exhibit a wide scatter. The following ranges of chloride
threshold values were found:
Total chloride (% by weight of cement): 0.02 to 3.08.

Free chloride: 0.045 to 3.22 (mole/l) or 0.07 to 1.16 % by weight of cement.
[Cl-]/[OH-] ratio: 0.01 to 20.
This pronounced variation of chloride threshold values originates not only from the influencing parameters presented in section 2.2, but also from the variety of different methods that
have been employed to detect the initiation of reinforcement corrosion and to measure the
content of chloride in the specimen of interest. It was generally not possible to narrow the
broad ranges of reported chloride threshold values by dividing them into groups according
to e.g. exposure environment, binder type, etc. An exception was the distinction between
[Cl-]/[OH-] ratios obtained using synthetic pore solutions versus values from experiments involving specimens of paste, mortar or concrete. There is a clear tendency of [Cl-]/[OH-] ratios
being lower if the experiments were performed in synthetic pore solutions (overall range:
0.01 4.9) as opposed to ratios derived from hardened samples (overall range: 0.05 20).
20

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This difference is probably reflecting the notable effect that the condition of the steelconcrete interface has on the chloride threshold value. Finally, the table in Appendix 1 contains data from two studies [Castellote et al., 2002; Trejo and Pillai, 2003] in which chloride
was introduced to mortar samples using a migration technique. The reported chloride
threshold values from these studies stands out as being notably low with total chloride contents (by weight of cement) ranging from 0.02 to 0.24 and [Cl-]/[OH-] ratios from 0.05 to 2.0.
A consensus seems to be lacking about which expression of the chloride threshold value is
considered the most appropriate. Some researchers argue that the threshold value is best
expressed as the content of free chloride, since only the free chloride ions are assumed to
participate in the initiation of pitting corrosion. However, it has been pointed out that bound
chlorides may be released due to, for example, a drop in pH of the pore solution [Glass et al.,
2000; Reddy et al., 2002], and that the corrosion risk represented by the amount of bound
chlorides is overlooked if only the free chlorides are taken into account [Glass and Buenfeld,
1997]. It should also be mentioned that contents of free chloride determined by expression
of pore solution may not reflect the "true" content of free chloride in concrete at atmospheric pressure, since the expression method is carried out using a very high confining pressure, i.e. the conditions of phase equilibrium is most likely very different at such elevated
pressures.
It is generally agreed that at the time of corrosion initiation it is the free chloride content
which is relevant (considering all other parameters to be equal). However, for practical reasons measurements of free chloride content is very difficult to carry out, so it is often preferred to relate the chloride threshold value to the total chloride content. This introduces a
problem which has generally not been taken into consideration so far, because the ratio between free and bound chloride can change considerably in different exposure situations (e.g.
at. different temperatures). The question is how can this be taken into account, when we
measure the chloride threshold value in the lab?
The representation of the chloride threshold value by the [Cl-]/[OH-] ratio relates the concentration of free chloride ions to the pH value of the pore solution. Again, it may be argued
that this expression is associated with a problematic neglect of the bound chlorides. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the [Cl-]/[OH-] threshold ratio depends on the pH
value of the pore solution [Li and Sags, 2001]. The threshold ratio increases at higher pH
values and consequently the actual pH value must also be taken into consideration when reporting the chloride threshold value by the [Cl-]/[OH-] ratio.
It is also worth noting that the way one chooses to express the chloride threshold value may
partly be a result of practical considerations. As noted above, it is far more difficult to measure the content of free chloride in a concrete specimen as compared to the total content of
chloride. In the literature the majority of chloride threshold values are expressed by total
content of chloride, which is possibly also a reflection of such practical concerns.
21

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When comparing chloride threshold values reported in the literature it is important to keep
in mind that the investigated specimens (concrete, mortar or cement paste) may not have
reached the same degree of maturity at the time when they are exposed to a chloride-rich
environment. The binder of a specimen in one study may have reacted almost completely,
whereas the binder in another experiment may have reacted to a much lesser extent. For
example, a number of studies have demonstrated that the fly ash component of a hydrating
binder may react very slowly. Lam et al. [2000] found, using a selective dissolution method,
that after 7 days of hydration only 6 % of the fly ash had reacted in pastes containing 45 55
wt% fly ash, and that more than 80 % of the fly ash still remained unreacted after 90 days of
hydration. Feldman et al. [1990] have also reported that considerable amounts of fly ash
remained as unreacted particles in the binder fly ash pastes after 91 days of hydration.
This was based on electron microscopy. Similarly, based on a solid-state NMR study on cement pastes containing 30% fly ash, Poulsen [2009] found that clear indications of fly ash reaction were only detected for hydration times beyond 28 days and that 75 80 % of the fly
ash had still not reacted after 180 days of hydration. With such a slowly reacting component
in the binder, the chemical composition (e.g. the pH value) of the pore solution will progressively change for an extended period of time thus affecting the chloride threshold value continuously. Therefore, the comparison of chloride threshold values from the literature may
lead to ambiguous conclusions if the maturity of the specimen (at the time of chloride exposure) is not taken into consideration.
RILEM project
In order to address the lack of a universally accepted method for determination of the chloride threshold value in reinforced concrete a technical committee (TC 235 CTC: Corrosion Initiating Chloride Threshold Concentrations in Concrete) has been established under the
RILEM organization. The committee comprises a group of experts that have been actively
working within research areas related to chloride threshold values. The work of the committee was initiated in 2009 and has an estimated duration of four years. The primary aim is to
develop a generally accepted test method for the determination of chloride threshold values
for reinforced concrete and main activities of the committee include the preparation of a
state-of-the-art report and the organization of round robin tests (RRTs).
After thorough discussions, the details of a preliminary test method have been agreed upon
and a RRT was initiated during the autumn of 2011. The RRT involves 12 different laboratories and the main purpose is to evaluate the precision (repeatability and reproducibility) of
the suggested test method for measuring the chloride threshold value in concrete. The
method involves the exposure of concrete specimens (ten replicas) to a 3.3 mass% NaCl solution after initial subjection to a drying regime, which is done to facilitate a quicker ingress
of chloride through the concrete. Each specimen contains an embedded steel bar (working
electrode) and the potential of this working electrode against a reference electrode is moni22

Date:
December 13, 2012
tored by a data logger. The corrosion onset is detected by a significant drop in potential (at
least 150 mV) and the chloride concentration at the steel bar is finally measured by potentiometric titration. In order to eliminate the possible influence of using different types of cement and steel, these materials have been distributed to all the participating laboratories,
thus ensuring that the same materials are used by all laboratories. The obtained results from
the RRT will be compared and discussed at RILEM workshops held in the period 2012-13.
Summary
Ingress of chloride ions into a concrete structure may lead to pitting corrosion on the reinforcement and ultimately result in deterioration of the structure. The corrosion process is initiated when a certain critical concentration of chloride (the chloride threshold value) is
reached at the surface of the reinforcing steel. The chloride threshold value is a very important input parameter for the modeling of service lifetime of reinforced concrete structures and therefore, it is essential that the chloride threshold value can be experimentally
determined in a reliable manner. Unfortunately, a generally accepted method for determination of chloride threshold values is presently lacking. Without an experimental determination, engineers are forced to make qualified (and often very conservative) guesses about the
magnitude of the threshold value, thus potentially underestimating the service lifetime of
concrete structures considerably.
It seems well-established that a universal chloride threshold value does not exist. Instead,
the threshold value is dependent on a variety of factors, such as the type of binder used in
the concrete mix, the electrochemical potential of the reinforcing steel, temperature, the
surface condition of the steel, availability of oxygen, etc. As a consequence, the chloride
threshold value must generally be considered as unique for each type of concrete and the
associated environment to which the concrete is exposed.
The chloride threshold values reported in the literature display a wide scatter and have been
obtained using a variety of different experimental approaches, thus making comparison of
results questionable. Moreover, the chloride threshold value is generally reported using one
of three different expressions (total content of chloride, content of free chloride, or Cl/OH- ratio of the pore solution), which further complicates the comparison of results.
In 2009 a technical committee was established as part of the RILEM association with the
primary purpose of developing a new and generally accepted test method for determination
of chloride threshold values in concrete. After careful discussions the committee has agreed
upon a preliminary test method and the result from a Round Robin Test based on this new
method are expected in the period 2012-13.
23

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December 13, 2012
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29
Appendix 1: Chloride threshold values from the literature

-
Chloride threshold values reported by either total content of Cl (% by weight of cement), free content of Cl or by the [Cl ]/[OH ] ratio. OPC = ordinary Portland cement; GGBS = ground granulated blast-furnace slag; LPR = linear polarization resistance; EIS = electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; FA = fly ash; SF silica fume;
SRPC = sulphate resisting Portland cement; WE = working electrode; CE = counter electrode.
Total Cl(% cement wt)
[Cl-]/[OH-]
Composition
of binder
Environment
Specimen
w/b
Chloride
introduction
Condition of
steel
Detection of
corrosion onset
Reference
0.5 1.08
laboratory, submerged
Alkaline
solution
in solution
cleaned,
smooth
potential, visual
inspection
Hausmann [1967]
0.4
100% OPC
laboratory, 65% RH
mortar
0.45
mixed-in
smooth
visual inspection
Richartz [1969]
3.0
100% OPC
laboratory, exposed to air
concrete
0.6
mixed-in
smooth
anodic polarization, potential
Gouda and Halaka

[1970]
1.0
35% GGBS +
65% OPC
concrete
0.6
mixed-in
smooth
Gouda and Halaka

[1970]
2.4
100% OPC
laboratory, submerged, but

aerated
mortar suspension
mixed-in
smooth
Gouda and Halaka

[1970]
1.2
35% GGBS +
65% OPC
Laboratory, submerged, but

aerated
mortar suspension
mixed-in
smooth
Gouda and Halaka

[1970]
0.2 1.4
various
outdoor exposure, exposed to

air
various
mainly deicing salts
potential
Stratfull et al.
[1975]
0.4 0.8
100% OPC
concrete
0.4
mixed-in
cleaned,
ribbed
LPR
Locke and Siman

[1980]
0.25 0.5
100% OPC
laboratory, submerged/ 60%

RH
mortar
0.5
mixed-in
sandblasted
EIS, visual inspection
Elsener and Bhni

[1986]
0.1 0.19
100% OPC
concrete
0.45
mixed-in
polished
0.1 0.19
100% OPC
outdoor exposure, exposed to

air
concrete
0.45
mixed-in
polished
Free Cl-
LPR, EIS, visual

inspection, weight
loss
LPR, EIS, visual
inspection, weight
loss
Hope and Ip
[1987]
Hope and Ip
[1987]
30
Free Cl-
[Cl-]/[OH-]
Composition
of binder
Environment
Specimen
w/b
Chloride
introduction
Condition of
steel
Detection of
corrosion onset
Reference
4.9
100% OPC
laboratory, submerged, but

aerated
synthetic
pore solution
in solution
polished
LPR, potential
Yonezawa et al.
[1988]
0.25 0.8
synthetic
pore solution
in solution
cleaned
LPR, potential
Goi and Andrade

[1990]
OPC, FA,
SRPC, SF,
RHPC
mortar
0.4
0.6
diffusion
cleaned,
smooth
current between
WE and passive
external CE
Hansson and
Srensen [1990]
concrete
0.4
0.6
mixed-in
macrocell current
Schiessel and
Raupach [1990]
concrete
0.4
0.6
macrocell current
Schiessel and
Raupach [1990]
OPC, SRPC
Cement
paste/ concrete
0.5
cleaned,
smooth
LPR, potential
Lambert et al.
[1991]
70% OPC +
30% SF
concrete
half-cell potential
Takagi et al.
[1991]
cleaned
LPR
Pettersson [1992]
ribbed
LPR
Pettersson [1995]
0.4 1.37
0.5
0.5 2.0
1.5 2.5
3 20
0.125
0.5 1.8
0.36
3.22
mole/l
diffusion
capillary
suction and
diffusion/mixed-in
diffusion/capillary
suction
OPC, SF, FA
mortar
0.4
0.6
OPC, SF
mortar and
concrete
0.3
0.75
0.14
mole/l
alkaline
solution
in solution
ground
anodic polarization
Mammoliti et al.
[1996]
0.28
mole/l
alkaline
solution
in solution
ribbed
anodic polarization
Mammoliti et al.
[1996]
0.42
mole/l
alkaline
solutions
in solution
polished
anodic polarization
Mammoliti et al.
[1996]
100% OPC
concrete
0.5
0.7
mixedin/diffusion
ribbed
macrocell current
Schiessl and Breit

[1996]
0.14
1.8
mole/l
0.5 1.0
mixed in/
diffusion/capillary
suction
capillary
suction and
diffusion/mixed-in
2.5 6
31
Composition
of binder
Environment
Specimen
w/b
Chloride
introduction
Condition of
steel
Detection of
corrosion onset
Reference
1.0 1.5
OPC with
GGBS or FA
concrete
0.5
0.7
mixedin/diffusion
ribbed
macrocell current
Schiessl and Breit

[1996]
0.2 0.65
OPC with 15%

to 50% FA
outdoor exposure, tidal zone

(marine exposure)
concrete
0.32
0.68
ribbed
weight loss
Thomas et al.
[1996]
100% OPC
mortar
0.75
capillary
suction and
diffusion
capillary
suction and
diffusion
not reported
potential
Elsener et al.
[1997]
synthetic
pore solution
in solution
cleaned
potentiostatic
control
Breit [1998]
mortar
0.5
0.6
diffusion
smooth
potentiosta ic
control, visual
inspection
Breit [1998]
outdoor exposure (seawater)
concrete
0.3
0.75
diffusion
ribbed, as
recieved
potential, LPR,
galvanostatic
pulse
Sandberg [1998]
Free Cl-
[Cl-]/[OH-]
0.44
0.65
mole/l
0.056
mole/l
0.26
100% OPC,
100% SRPC
and OPC with
SF, FA or
GGBS.
100% SRPC or
SRPC with FA,
SF and GGBS
0.25 0.75
0.4 1.5
1.24 3.08
0.25 1.25
0.39
1.16 %
cem wt
1.17 3.98
100% OPC
laboratory, 100% RH
mortar
0.5
mixed-in
ribbed and
smooth
LPR, potential
Alonso et al.
[2000]
0.7 1.7
laboratory, oxygen supply
Synthetic
pore solution
in solution
sandblasted,
cleaned
potential, macrocell current
Zimmermann et
al. [2000]
100% OPC
mortar
0.6
capillary
suction/diffusion
sandblasted,
cleaned
potential, macrocell current
Zimmermann et
al. [2000]
100% OPC
outdoor exposure
concrete
diffusion
macrocell current
Zimmermann
[2000]
0.01 2.5
alkaline
solutions
in solution
as received,
sandblasted,
pre-rusted
Potential, EIS
Li and Sags
[2001]
0.045
0.55
mole/l
0.2 0.4
0.73
0.50 %
cem wt
1.760.3
OPC, SRPC,
FA
laboratory submerged
mortar
0.5
diffusion
ribbed,
millscaled
Potentiostatic
control
Alonso et al.
[2002]
0.23
0.36
mole/l
1.5
100% SRPC
mortar
0.37
diffusion
ribbed
LPR, potenital
Castellote et al.
[2002]
32
Free Cl-
[Cl-]/[OH-]
Composition
of binder
Environment
Specimen
w/b
Chloride
introduction
Condition of
steel
Detection of
corrosion onset
Reference
0.15
0.33
mole/l
2.0
100% SRPC
mortar
0.37
migration
ribbed
LPR, potenital
Castellote et al.
[2002]

(23C, 50% RH)
concrete
0.4
0.6
mixed-in
cleaned
(acetone)

(23C, 50% RH)
concrete
0.4
0.6
mixed-in
cleaned
(acetone)
0.5
migration
cleaned
LPR
Trejo and Pillai

[2003]
mixed-in
smooth
potential
Oh et al. [2003]
mixed-in
smooth
potential
Oh et al. [2003]
100% OPC (~7

and ~12%
C3A)
75% OPC +
25% FA (Class
C and F)
~0.4
~0.4
0.02 0.24
0.05 0.62
100% OPC
mortar
Whiting et al.
[2002]
Whiting et al.
[2002]
0.68 0.97
0.07
0.13 %
cem wt
0.16 0.26
OPC with 15
to 30% FA or
30% GGBS
concrete
0.45
0.10 %
cem wt
0.27
SRPC
concrete
100% OPC

(22% RH and 30 C for 60 days)
then submerged
concrete
0.45
Capillary
suction and
diffusion
smooth
potentiostatic
control
Nygaard and
Geiker [2005]
100% OPC
concrete
0.5
capillary
suction and
diffusion
polished,
rusted,
millscaled
LPR, potential,
visual inspection
Mohammed and
Hamada [2006]
LPR, potenital
Manera et al.
[2007]
LPR, potenital
Manera et al.
[2007]
0.52 0.75
0.4 0.8
% cem wt
(watersoluble)
0.35
0.55
0.35
0.55
potentiostatic
testing, visual
inspection
potentiostatic
testing, visual
inspection
1.1 2.0
100% OPC
concrete
0.60
mixed-in
0.6 1.2
90% OPC +
10% SF
concrete
0.60
mixed-in
smooth,
ribbed, as
received and
sandblasted
smooth,
ribbed, as
received and
sandblasted
33

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State of the art

Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

Danish Expert Centre for Infrastructure Constructions

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

Chloride threshold value ........................................................................................................................... 4

Definition of chloride threshold value and general concepts ........................................................... 4

Influential parameters ....................................................................................................................... 6

pH of pore solution .................................................................................................................... 6

Water/binder ratio .................................................................................................................... 8

Oxygen availability and moisture content ............................................................................... 10

Electrochemical potential of the embedded steel .................................................................. 11

Surface condition of the steel.................................................................................................. 12

Condition of the steel-concrete interface ............................................................................... 12

Method of chloride introduction ............................................................................................. 13

Test methods ........................................................................................................................................... 14

Methods for detecting or quantifying chloride in concrete ............................................................ 14

Colourimetric spray indicator (silver nitrate) .......................................................................... 15

Volhard titration [NT Build 208, 1984] .................................................................................... 15

Potentiometric titration .......................................................................................................... 15

Ion selective electrode ............................................................................................................ 15

X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry ........................................................................................... 16

Quantab chloride titrators ....................................................................................................... 16

Scanning electron microscopy ................................................................................................. 16

Expression of pore solution ..................................................................................................... 16

Leaching techniques ................................................................................................................ 17

Methods for determination of corrosion initiation ......................................................................... 18

Potential shift (open circuit measurements) ........................................................................... 18

Linear polarization resistance (LPR) ........................................................................................ 18

Macrocell current .................................................................................................................... 19

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) ...................................................................... 19

Galvanostatic pulse method .................................................................................................... 20

Visual examination .................................................................................................................. 20

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

Chloride threshold values from the literature......................................................................................... 20

RILEM project .......................................................................................................................................... 22

Appendix 1: Chloride threshold values from the literature.30

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

Chloride threshold value

Definition of chloride threshold value and general concepts

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

2.2.1 pH of pore solution

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

2.2.3 Water/binder ratio

Reduced area available for development of pitting corrosion caused by a denser

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art

December 13, 2012

2.2.4 Type of binder

Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS)

Report: Chloride Threshold Values State of the art