Understanding corrosion in steel reinforced concrete structures: A limited study using TOF-SIMS

It is presumed that reinforced concrete (RCC) structures have a life of more than hundred years. However, abnormal large scale degradation was observed in RCC in certain non-coastal areas. Hence an investigation was required. Here the issues involved in degradation of RCC around Delhi, India were analyzed on sample cross sections using TOF-SIMS and compared with known cases of degradation of other materials. Presence of nitrides, halides and other corrosive ions were detected. They were correlated to the ground water usage during construction. Thereafter the enhanced scope for work in understanding degradation of reinforced concrete across the length and breadth of India is stated in brief, in view of vast differences in dissolved salts in ground water and other impurities across different regions in India.