An analysis of the impact of chloride-induced corrosion on reinforced concrete structures in the port of Cape Town
type: CreativeWork
description: Corrosion of steel reinforcement is a main deterioration mechanism for reinforced concrete structures in the marine environment, where chloride ingress causes severe and widespread damage. These structures make up a substantial proportion of infrastructure globally and are costly to construct and require constant maintenance throughout their service life. For infrastructure owners such as the Transnet National Ports Authority, whose infrastructure is mostly civil in nature and is exposed to severe marine exposure conditions, an improved understanding of each port's environment can lead to the design of more durable structures, or the improved maintenance of existing structures, both leading to more effective investment decisions. The aim of this research is therefore to understand the relationship between marine exposure conditions, cover depths, age, and deterioration due to chloride-induced corrosion in the port of Cape Town through the investigation of select structures. As-built data collection, visual condition assessments, and cover measurements were performed on various components of seventeen reinforced concrete structures in the port of Cape Town. These structures varied in terms of type, age, distance from the sea and marine exposure. The condition assessments focused on deterioration related to corrosion namely rust staining and spalling, and damage ratings were ascribed based on the classification scheme provided in the RILEM technical committee 104-DDC 1994. Further, the predominant wind direction affecting the structural component (either South Easterly or North Westerly) and the marine exposure class were noted. These assessments were supplemented by cover readings on the structural components, with a focus on average and minimum cover depth per component. Findings from the visual condition assessments confirmed significant reinforcement corrosion damage on twelve of the seventeen structures. This would imply that these structures are in the propagati…
abstract: Corrosion of steel reinforcement is a main deterioration mechanism for reinforced concrete structures in the marine environment, where chloride ingress causes severe and widespread damage. These structures make up a substantial proportion of infrastructure globally and are costly to construct and require constant maintenance throughout their service life. For infrastructure owners such as the Transnet National Ports Authority, whose infrastructure is mostly civil in nature and is exposed to severe marine exposure conditions, an improved understanding of each port's environment can lead to the design of more durable structures, or the improved maintenance of existing structures, both leading to more effective investment decisions. The aim of this research is therefore to understand the relationship between marine exposure conditions, cover depths, age, and deterioration due to chloride-induced corrosion in the port of Cape Town through the investigation of select structures. As-built data collection, visual condition assessments, and cover measurements were performed on various components of seventeen reinforced concrete structures in the port of Cape Town. These structures varied in terms of type, age, distance from the sea and marine exposure. The condition assessments focused on deterioration related to corrosion namely rust staining and spalling, and damage ratings were ascribed based on the classification scheme provided in the RILEM technical committee 104-DDC 1994. Further, the predominant wind direction affecting the structural component (either South Easterly or North Westerly) and the marine exposure class were noted. These assessments were supplemented by cover readings on the structural components, with a focus on average and minimum cover depth per component. Findings from the visual condition assessments confirmed significant reinforcement corrosion damage on twelve of the seventeen structures. This would imply that these structures are in the propagati…
author: Prinsloo, Mishka
language: en
keywords: Chloride-induced corrosion, Cape Town
date published: 2025
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:23:47Z
provider: University of Cape Town
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Department of Civil Engineering

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42607