ASTM C876 − 09 Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

ASTM C876 − 09 Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

Scope
1.1 This test method covers the estimation of the electrical corrosion potential of uncoated reinforcing steel in field and laboratory concrete, for the purpose of determining the corrosion activity of the reinforcing steel.

1.2 This test method is limited by electrical circuitry.

Concrete surface in building interiors and desert environments lose sufficient moisture so that the concrete resistivity becomes so high that special testing techniques not covered in this test method may be required (see 5.1.4.1).

Concrete surfaces that are coated or treated with sealers may not provide an acceptable electrical circuit.

The basic configuration of the electrical circuit is shown in Fig. 1

ASTM C876 − 09 Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is suitable for in-service evaluation and for use in research and development work.

4.2 This test method is applicable to members regardless of their size or the depth of concrete cover over the reinforcing steel.

Concrete cover in excess of 3 in. (75 mm) can result in an averaging of adjacent reinforcement corrosion potentials that can result in a loss of the ability to discriminate variation in relative corrosion activity.