Effect of electrode orientation on linear polarisation measurements using sensor controlled guard ring

Use of a sensor controlled guard ring has been developed in recent years to enhance the accuracy of linear polarisation corrosion rate measurements on reinforced concrete structures. The sensors are used to monitor potential differences measured on the concrete surface above the reinforcing steel. These data are then used to confine the corrosion measurement to a known area of reinforcing steel. The role of the sensors is paramount in maintaining adequate confinement of the perturbation applied to the reinforcing steel. Experiments were conducted on reinforced concrete specimens containing both active and passive zones of reinforcing steel. Polarisation resistance measurements were taken using both a potentio-statically controlled guard ring device developed at the University of Liverpool and a galvanostatically controlled commercial device. Both devices indicated that the orientation of the sensor electrodes can affect the polarisation resistance determined when taking measurements on passive steel next to actively corroding areas. The sensor orientation,ras not observed to affect the polarisation resistance measurements taken on actively corroding steel next to passive steel. (C) 2000 IoM Communications Ltd.