Reinforcement Corrosion Condition Rating and Repair Performance Indicators

2. CORROSION DAMAGE INDICATORS

The use of Corrosion Damage Indicators (CDIs) provides a classification between different levels and types
of corrosion damage. The scheme of types of damages and extension of them will be necessary on assessing
the actual state of the structure. The index of CDI is constituted by a pool of indicators to be surveyed and
weighted. The indicators mostly used are:
2.1. A1 Carbonation Index- Average Concrete Depth with pH 8.6-9.5/ Average Cover Thickness
Parameter A1 also known as Carbonation Index, represents the probability of corrosion damage being due
to concrete carbonation. Since probability of carbonation is strongly related to concrete cover thickness, the
parameter A1 is represented as a ratio. Parameter A1 is limited between pH 9.5-8.6.
Concrete Alkalinity can be measured according to ASTM F710. Typical field measuring methods include:
digital devices, pencil type rainbow indicators, sticker type rainbow indicators and the use of
phenolphthalein spaying.

Warning: like all chemicals, phenolphthalein solution should be treated with respect. Both phenolphthalein
itself and isopropyl alcohol are harmful and, since it contains alcohol, the indicator solution is flammable.
Ingestion, or contact with skin or eyes should be avoided, as should breathing the vapour. Possible effects
on the human body include kidney damage and cancer. MSDS: Phenolphthalein Solution 1%, Catalog
Numbers: S71429, S71976, S76970, SP62 1, SP62 500, SP621, SP62500.
The phenolphthalein indicator solution is applied to a fresh fracture surface of concrete. If the indicator
turns purple, the pH is above 8.6. Where the solution remains colourless, the pH of the concrete is below
8.6, suggesting carbonation. A fully-carbonated paste has a pH of about 8.4.
In practice, a pH of 8.6 may only give a faintly discernible slightly pink colour. A strong, immediate, colour
change to purple suggests a pH that is rather higher, perhaps pH 9 or 10.
Normal concrete pore solution is saturated with calcium hydroxide and also contains sodium and potassium
hydroxide; the pH is typically 13-14. Concrete with a pore solution of pH 10-12 is less alkaline than sound
concrete but would still produce a strong colour change with phenolphthalein indicator. It therefore follows
that the indicator test is likely to underestimate the depth to which carbonation has occurred.
Prior to any measurement, it is important to properly clean the concrete sample with running water to
prevent dust from the coring process to affect the measurement. The core prior to testing shall be allowed to
dry for at least 15 minutes.

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Reinforcement Corrosion Condition Rating and Repair Performance Indicators

Measurement of concrete cover is performed via the use of covermeters. Today there is a large variety of
available devices. Accuracy of measurement is usually 1 mm. Covermeters are classified as a) with rebar
diameter detection and b) without rebar diameter detection.
Covermeters are covered by several standards like BS 1881 Part 204, DIN 1045, SN 505 262, DGZfP B2,
etc.

Covermeters with rebar diameter detection ability

Covermeters without rebar diameter detection ability

In order to obtain statistically correct measurements it is imperative to consider that both cover thickness
and carbonation depth follow a normal probability density function. The recommended minimum population
of measurements shall be 6 per structural member per every of total height/length. It is imperative to
remember that corrosion initiation will take place firstly at stirrups.

The red arrows indicate the cover thickness.

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Reinforcement Corrosion Condition Rating and Repair Performance Indicators

A typical example in evaluating the parameter A1 is shown below

Turning of the data into cumulative probability plots reveals that there is no probability of carbonation
exceeding the cover thickness.

In this case we can classify and determine the Carbonation index via the ratio Average Concrete Depth with
pH 8.6-9.5/ Average Cover Thickness. In this example the ratio A1 is 0.52. Hence, the severity class for the
member is 3 and the Carbonation index weight is 3.

Carbonation index
Severity Classes

Severity Class 1

Severity Class 2

Severity Class 3

Severity Class 4

Weights

Weight 1

Weight 2

Weight 3

Weight 4

Ratio Limits

A10.2

0.21<A10.5

0.50<A10.7

A1>0.7

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Reinforcement Corrosion Condition Rating and Repair Performance Indicators

In several cases however, the determination of Carbonation Index can be puzzling. The following example
represents such case

Turning of the data into probability density plots reveals that there is a potential of carbonation exceeding
cover thickness.

Such discrepancies are covered by limits provided by the Carbonation index classification. Herein, the limit
of >0.7 represents such case.
Carbonation index
Severity Classes

Severity Class 1

Severity Class 2

Severity Class 3

Severity Class 4

Weights

Weight 1

Weight 2

Weight 3

Weight 4

Ratio Limits

A10.2

0.21<A10.5

0.50<A10.7

A1>0.7

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