Investigation of the Effectiveness of Repairs and Protection Materials / Techniques for Alleviating Durability Problems

Chloride-induced corrosion is one of the major forms of premature concrete deterioration in Jordan, particularly in the industrial structures located in the Dead Sea Region, which is one of the most severe corrosive environments in the world. Significant forms of deterioration occurred within (10-15) years of the service life of the structures. Achieving the desired service life without expending excess funds for maintenance or rehabilitation is the objective of any designer. Proper attention to durability considerations in design can greatly extend the life of a structure. High quality concrete and adequate cover provide the first line of defense against corrosion and should always be specified to assure durability. However, the experience of the research team has shown that relying solely on concrete quality and cover as a corrosion-protection strategy may not assure long-term durability and protection against corrosion-induced damage. Concrete cracking and variations in materials and construction quality can undermine the effectiveness of "concrete only" protection strategies. This paper presents the outcomes of a 4-year duration research work conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of some selected repair and protection materials/ techniques that are available at the Jordanian market in alleviating the problem of chloride-induced corrosion, hence improving concrete durability.