Title:
Cracking, Cover, and Corrostion of Reinforcement
Author(s):
A. W. Beeby
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
5
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
35-40
Keywords:
climate; corrosion; cover; cracking (fracturing); crack width and spacing; environments; marine atmospheres; mix proportioning; reinforced concrete; reinforcing steels; structural design.
DOI:
Date:
2/1/1983
Abstract:
A study of design recommendations in various countries for the avoidance of reinforcement corrosion suggests that no real consensus exists on the levels of cover, concrete quality, and permissible crack width which should be specified. This paper attempts to assess the relative importance of these factors by reference to published data from exposure tests carried out in many countries. It is concluded that the width of cracks has far less importance in assuring durability than has generally been supposed and that the important parameters are the amount of cover and the quality of the concrete. The possibility of a more rational design approach to corrosion control is discussed, but it is concluded that much of the information necessary to implement this remains to e established.