Abstract:
In this study, the mechanical and physical properties of concrete specimens obtained by
substituting cement with finely ground pumice (FGP) at proportions of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%
by weight has been investigated, in addition to analyzing the corrosion behavior of reinforcing
steels embedded in these specimens. Besides, with the purpose of determining the effect of fly
ash (FA) additive over the corrosion of reinforcing steels embedded in concrete with FGP, FA
has been entrained to all series with the exception of the control specimen, such that it would
replace with cement 5% by weight. Corrosion experiments were conducted in two stages. In the
first stage, the corrosion potential of reinforcing steels embedded in the concrete specimens was
measured every day for a period of 60 days based on the ASTM C 876 standard. In the second
stage, the anodic and cathodic polarization values of the steels were obtained and subsequently
the corrosion currents were determined with the aid of cathodic polarization curves. In the study,
it was observed that a decrease in the mechanical strength of the specimens and an increase in the
corrosion rate of the reinforcing steel had taken place as a result of the FGP addition. However, it
was determined that with the addition of FA into concretes supplemented with FGP, the corrosion
rate of the reinforcing steel has significantly decreased.
