TESTING AS PER IS 516 PART 5 SEC III
Objective - Carbonation of concrete is one of the main reasons for corrosion of reinforcement. Oxygen and moisture are the other components required for corrosion of embedded steel. In this test, the depth of carbonation is determined.
The rate of carbonation depends on the grade of concrete, permeability of concrete, whether the concrete is protected or not, depth of cover, time, etc.
Carbonation is a process in which carbon dioxide from the atmosphere diffuses through the porous cover concrete and may reduce the pH to 8 or 9, at which the passivating/oxide film is no longer stable.
The test shall be performed on freshly exposed concrete surface. This may be either freshly broken surface of concrete or extracted concrete core sample which may preferably be split and the test may be conducted on the split face.
Testing Photos
