Full Length Research Paper

Predicting the chloride content from the color analysis for various cement-based materials

Rüstem Gül, Murat Yavuz and Abdulkadir Cüneyt Aydin^*

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240 , Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: acaydin@atauni.edu.tr. Tel: +90 442 231 47 81. Fax: +90 442 236 09 57.

Accepted 13 July, 2010

Abstract

The rate of chloride content is of great importance for the performance of reinforced concrete structures exposed to chloride-contaminated environments. The chlorides are known to cause corrosion of metals embedded in cement-based materials. Thus, an important criterion for the evaluation of reinforced concrete structures is the measurement of the chloride content. This is normally done using time consuming standard methods. This paper presents the determination of the apparent chloride content of various cement-based materials using color analysis, which provides the advantages of a fast measurement and the potential for on-site application. The surface can be scanned, or depth profiles are available from cores. Measurements can be performed directly on the sample surface and the results are available in near real time. The results of color analysis method are compared with the results of the Volhard, ion-meter, and Scanner Electron Microscope methods.

Key words: Chloride content, color analysis, electrical resistance, pozzolans, cement-based materials.