Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel in Sabkha Environment

This paper reports results of an investigation carried out to evaluate corrosion of reinforcing steel in plain and blended cement mortar specimens placed in a sabkha soil. These specimens placed at a sabkha site in the Eastern Province were retrieved at periodic intervals and the degree of reinforcement corrosion was evaluated by conducting weight loss measurements. The specimens were also analyzed to determine water-soluble chloride, and hydroxyl ion concentrations. Laboratory studies were also carried out to evaluate the time to initiation of corrosion. For this purpose, reinforced concrete specimens were exposed to a simulated-sabkha environment for a period of more than two years. The reinforcement corrosion was evaluated by measuring corrosion potentials and corrosion current density. Results indicate lower reinforcement corrosion activity on steel in blended cement specimens, particularly in silica fume cement specimens, than on steel in plain cement specimens, placed both in me field and in the simulated- sabkha solution.