A Laboratory Study on the Potentiodynamic Polarization and Transport Properties of Binary Concrete with Silica Fume and Zeolite

The current study aims to investigate influence of w/cm ratio, cementitious materials content and supplementary cementitious materials on the transport properties of concrete and chloride-induced corrosion rate of reinforcement. To do this, several mixes are designed with and without silica fume and natural zeolite as supplementary cementitious materials, w/cm of 0.4 and 0.5, and cementitious materials contents of 325 and 400 kg/m3. These mixes are subjected to evaluation of compressive strength, transport properties (i.e. absorption, water penetration depth and rapid chloride penetration test), and corrosion rate measurement through Potentiodynamic test and electrochemical measurements. The results of this study reveal that there is not strong correlation between corrosion rate of reinforcement and the measured strength and transport properties. The corrosion rate of reinforcement significantly decreased through reduction of water-to-cementitious materials ratio and use of supplementary cementitious materials; of which w/cm showed a more considerable influence. Increase in cement content, however, increased the transportation of water and chloride into the concrete and thus increased the corrosion rate of reinforcement.