BU574 Preventing corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete (2014)

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete is one of the most common and obvious causes of poor concrete durability and serviceability. Primary factors that influence the risk of corrosion are the exposure environment, the quality of the concrete and the thickness of the protective concrete cover over the steel.

This bulletin outlines the causes of corrosion of reinforcement and suggests ways to reduce the risk of such corrosion occurring and replaces and updates Bulletin 464 of the same name.

The bulletin covers:

• Building Code and standards
• why corrosion occurs
• rate of corrosion
• concrete quality
• how corrosion occurs
• protection for reinforcing steel
• maintenance of concrete
• repair options for concrete.