Electrochemical behavior of reinforced concrete exposed to magnesium sulfate contaminated sand.

In the present investigation, the electrochemical behavior of reinforced concrete specimens is evaluated in order to determine the probability of corrosion of these specimens exposed to a frictional soil contaminated with MgSO4. Concrete specimens were prepared, in which 1018 steel and galvanized steel bars were embedded to be electrochemically evaluated; the dosage of the concrete mixtures was made based on the ACI 211.1 method, for which the aggregates must be previously characterized, such characterization and the curing process of the specimens under study were carried out according to the ONNCCE regulations. The mixes prepared were designed for an fc=350 kg/cm2, and two types of cements were used: CPC 30R and CPC 30R RS. After the curing stage, the specimens were placed in a sand contaminated with 0, 1, 2 and 3% MgSO4, to be subsequently evaluated. The results presented correspond to the first 5 months of monitoring; the interpretation of the potentials was carried out according to ASTM Standard C-876-09.