Survey of Virginia Aggregates for Chloride Contents: Final Report

Report No: 80-R40

Published in 1980

About the report:

A major cause of concrete bridge deck deterioration is the corrosion of the reinforcing steel which, in turn, is caused by the presence of extremely high concentrations of chloride ions in the concrete. It was believed that the chloride came almost entirely from applications of deicing salts and that the contribution from the concrete mix was insignificant by comparison with the corrosion threshold value. A recent accidental finding of significant amounts of chloride in some concrete aggregates in Virginia, and reports of similar occurrences in other states, prompted a survey to determine the chloride contents of Virginia aggregates being used in concrete for highway construction and maintenance. Aggregates from 104 sources were analyzed for their total chloride and water-soluble chloride contents. The results were examined in the perspective of the current state of knowledge on the corrosion process.

Documents

80-R40

_{Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.}

Authors

G. G. Clemeña, John W. Reynolds

Last updated: January 25, 2024