Half Cell Potential Testing
The Half Cell Potential Test is another non-destructive test for re-inforced steel corrosion. Steel embedded in good quality concrete is protected by the high alkalinity pore water which, in the presence of oxygen, passivates the steel.
The loss of alkalinity due to carbonation of the concrete or the penetration of chloride ions (arising from either sea or rock salt) can destroy the passive protective film.
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The Half Cell Potential Test
What is the Half Cell Potential Test ?
In the presence of oxygen and humidity in the concrete, corrosion of the steel bars begins.
A symptom of the corrosion of steel in concrete is the development of macrocells, which is the co-existence of passive and corroding areas on the same reinforcement bar. The current flow in the steel is accompanied by an electrical field which is measured at the concrete surface, identifying the location of the most corroded areas at the most negative values.
This is the basis of the half cell potential testing applied to the routine inspection of reinforced steel concrete structures. When surface measurements are taken, they are obviously measured away from the reinforcement due to the concrete cover. The potentials measured are therefore affected by the potential ohmic drop in the concrete. Several factors have a significant effect on the potentials measured
- Concrete Cover Depth
- Concrete Resistivity
- High Resistive Surface Layers
- Polarisation Effects