An overview of corrosion behavior and contemporary management techniques of thermomechanically treated rebars in concrete structures

ABSTRACT

The corrosion of reinforcement possesses a huge problem for our present infrastructure both in terms of human lives and monetary ground. Understanding the corrosion of thermomechanically treated (TMT) rebar in concrete structures is essential as it represents a large segment of reinforcement materials. In this review, we have tried to scrutinize this issue from different directions. The established corrosion model for rebar, especially for TMT rebar, has been examined. The main contributing factor for rebar corrosion is how passivation occurs and its disintegration in contact with aggressive ions. The effects of composition, microstructure, concrete-rebar interface, concrete type, and corrosion media on this phenomenon have been analyzed. We have realized that the exact time of chloride ion attack determines the effectiveness of the passive layer in inhabiting the corrosion initiation. A combination of suitable alloying and controlled thermomechanical treatment ensures corrosion resistant rebar. Concrete also plays an important role in corrosion prevention as it helps passivation step and stops aggressive ions from reaching the rebars. Finally, we have discussed some recent trends in corrosion management technologies and their effectiveness.

KEYWORDS:

• Corrosion
• TMT rebar
• reinforcement
• RCC structures
• thermo-mechanical treatment
• passivation

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for providing assistance with different facilities. One of the authors, A. Irfan extends his appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University Saudi Arabia for funding this work through Large Research Group Project under grant number (RGP/2/63/44).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Md. Rajbanul Akhond: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis Writing – original draft. Ahmad Irfan: Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing. Ahmed Sharif: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing, Resources, Supervision.