Analysis of Factors Influencing the Corrosion Rate of Reinforcing Steel Bars in Concrete: A Ranking Study

Badawy, Mohamed Fergany; Saif, Mohamed; Al Hariri, Mohamad Osama Ramadan; Hamad, Hossameldin; Serag, Ahmed; Abd El-Hafez, Ghada

doi:10.21608/erjsh.2025.344797.1386

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Corrosion Rate of Reinforcing Steel Bars in Concrete: A Ranking Study

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Higher Institute of Engineering, 15th May City, Cairo, Egypt.

² Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, Cairo, Egypt.

³ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University.

⁴ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University.

10.21608/erjsh.2025.344797.1386

Abstract

Abstract. Corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete is a significant concern that affects the durability and service life of reinforced concrete structures. This study investigates the factors influencing the corrosion rate of steel bars embedded in concrete, focusing on key material properties such as penetration depth, alkalinity, compressive strength, tensile strength, and sorptivity. Fourteen concrete mixes, including supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as silica fume, fly ash, and slag, were tested under accelerated corrosion conditions using a 3.5% sodium chloride solution. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software to evaluate the relationships between these variables and the corrosion rate. The results revealed that penetration depth had the strongest positive correlation with corrosion, while alkalinity and compressive strength exhibited significant negative correlations, highlighting their protective roles. Tensile strength and sorptivity showed moderate correlations with corrosion rate. Among the tested mixes, those incorporating SCMs, particularly silica fume, demonstrated superior corrosion resistance due to improved microstructure and reduced permeability. This study emphasizes the importance of optimizing concrete mix designs and utilizing SCMs to enhance the durability of concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments.

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