Abstract
The use of cathodic protection as a method of countering chloride-induced corrosion of steel in concrete causes the formation of hydroxyl ions at the surface of the embedded metal. The preliminary experiments described in this note were aimed at evaluating a possible side-effect of this process under circumstances where the concrete contains a potentially reactive aggregate. For concrete specimens containing calcined flint aggregate, it was shown that deleterious local expansion of the material was generated owing to alkali-silica reaction induced in the vicinity of embedded steel when the latter was subjected to potentiostatic polarization for a period of several months at −850 mV (SCE scale). Continuing investigations are aimed at providing further insight into this phenomenon to aid the assessment of its practical implications.
Resume
L’utilisation de la protection cathodique pour neutraliser la corrosion de l’acier dans le béton provoquée par le chlorure entraîne la formation d’ions hydroxyles à la surface du métal enrobé. Les essais préliminaires décrits dans cette note avaient pour but d’évaluer un éventuel effet secondaire de ce processus dans les cas où le béton contient un granulat réactif. Pour les échantillons de béton contenant un granulat de silex calciné, on a montré que l’expansion locale nocive du matériau était provoquée par la réaction silicoalcaline qui se produit dans le voisinage de l’acier enrobé quand celui-ci est soumis à une polarisation potentiostatique pendant une durée de plusieurs mois à −850 mV (échelle SCE). Des études se poursuivent dans le but d’obtenir une connaissance plus approfondie de ce phénomène et contribuer à l’évaluation de ses conséquences pratiques.
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Sergi, G., Page, C.L. & Thompson, D.M. Electrochemical induction of alkali-silica reaction in concrete. Materials and Structures 24, 359–361 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472069
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472069