Influence of Polymeric Coating Materials on Physical Service Life of Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

Physical service life of steel reinforced concrete (RC) components and buildings in the ordinary atmospheric surroundings is reasonably determined by the time when the occurrence of crack and spalling of cover concrete makes serious damage to the daily safety as the results of the progress of neutralization of concrete and the accompanying corrosion of reinforcing steel. If we make effective use of polymeric coating materials, however, the physical service life can be prolonged by their suppressive effects against the progress of neutralization and corrosion. I propose the rational setting methods of physical service life of reinforced concrete treated with polymeric coating materials based upon the concept of equivalent thickness of cover concrete and also equivalent corrosion loss of crack occurrence.