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 silica fume (SF) additive over the corrosion
of reinforcing steels embedded in concrete with FGP, SF has been entrained to all series with the
exception of the control specimen, such that it would replace with cement 10% 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 160 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 SF into concretes supplemented with FGP, the corrosion
rate of the reinforcing steel has significantly decreased.
