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Effect of Chloride-Based Deicers on Reinforced Concrete Structures, Phase I

Project #: 4W0908
Start Date: 11/21/2005
End Date: 12/30/2009
Status: Completed
ABSTRACT:

The corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete has been a major problem in highway bridges and other reinforced concrete structures. The corrosion leads to serious economic and safety implications. For transportation infrastructure exposed to salt-laden environments, the chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcing steel is the major cause of their premature deterioration of strength, serviceability, and aesthetics. Therefore, chloride permeability of concrete is considered a critical intrinsic property of the concrete. In the state of Washington, millions of pounds of deicers, primarily chloride-based deicers, are applied to the roads every winter. The Washington Department of Transportation has studied the corrosion of chloride-based deicers to motor vehicles but little is known about the effectiveness of deicer inhibitors in regard to infrastructure preservation. Therefore, research is needed to determine whether corrosion-inhibited deicers help mitigate the steel rebar corrosion due to chloride ingress.

OBJECTIVE:

Evaluate the effect of chloride-based deicers on reinforced concrete structures, such as roadways and bridges, operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation; and to determine whether or not reducing deicer corrosiveness helps preserve the transportation infrastructure.

PERSONNEL:

  • Xianming Shi
    (PI)
    Xianming Shi
    (PI)

REPORTS & DOCUMENTS:

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