Evaluating Chloride Contamination in Reinforced Concrete Structures

Corrosion from chloride contamination in reinforced concrete is a major concern in construction. Chloride testing, often seen as routine, is complicated by factors such as multiple testing methods and variability introduced during sampling, including age, composition, and sample size. Not all chloride contamination is equal; sources differ, and concrete and reinforcement properties influence durability and corrosion risk. Better understanding of testing processes and corrosion mechanics can improve sampling, set realistic lab expectations, and aid in interpreting data.

In this webinar, materials engineer Stephen Garrett and chemist Tonya Werner will help material suppliers, investigating engineers, and everyone in between get the most out of chloride testing. They will provide a brief introduction to the various standard methods available, along with a technical overview of the mechanics of chloride evaluation techniques from a chemistry perspective. Through recent case studies, best practices for field sampling and data interpretation will be discussed.

By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe how chloride ions can become present in concrete
• Compare sampling techniques and test methods for evaluating chloride contamination
• Explain thresholds for corrosion risk due to chloride ion exposure
• Identify emerging technologies for performing chloride concentration testing

more to learn

View this webinar in our interactive audience console to earn 1 AIA learning unit, access related resources, submit questions to the presenters, and download a certificate of completion.