Corrosion of reinforced concrete
This research topic deals with the corrosion of rebars in the reinforced concrete. The work is mainly based on some significant experimental campaigns as well as some computational modelling so that one can :
- study the process of corrosion, depending on the aggressive agents (carbonation or chloride ions), the exposure classes (environmental conditions), concrete mixtures, type of rebars and explain the interactions;
- make a link between the physico-chemical behavior at the scale of the materials and some structural models at the scale of the structure’s elements;
- monitor the evolution of processes as a function of time to better understand the kinetics of corrosion and forecast the long-term performance of structural elements;
- propose some diagnosis methods and associated monitoring strategies;
- compare the results in the lab through some accelerated tests with some campaigns in natural conditions;
- characterize the effects of the corrosion products (bond slip at the steel/concrete interface and radial expansion due to the formation of corrosion products) on degradation (cracking) of concrete based on the characteristics of the corrosion products and the constitutive materials of the structure.
These research activities also deal with electro-chemical treatments such as electrochemical chloride extraction, realkalisation and cathodic protection (by impressed current or sacrificial anodes), in the field of preventive maintenance and repair. One investigates in particular the electrochemical mechanisms and their efficiency, to better understand the associated effects and the long-term performance gain.
Contacts : veronique.bouteiller@univ-eiffel.fr ; lucas.adelaide@univ-eiffel.fr
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