Effect of dust in coarse aggregates on reinforcement corrosion in concrete

This paper reports results of a study conducted to investigate the effect of dust, contributed by the coarse aggregates, on the corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete. The concrete specimens were prepared with up to 10% dust in the coarse aggregates. Two other batches of reinforced concrete specimens were also prepared. In one batch of specimens the aggregates were washed with raw water (total dissolved solids: 3338 ppm) while the dust in the second batch was removed by vacuum suction. Reinforcement corrosion was monitored by measuring corrosion potentials and corrosion current density. The results indicated that up to 10% dust in the coarse aggregates did not cause any corrosion of the reinforcing steel. Similarly, reinforcement corrosion was not noted in the concrete specimens prepared with coarse aggregates washed with raw water or cleaned with vacuum suction.