INFLUENCE OF GALVANIC ACTION ON CORROSION OF STEEL REINFORCEMENTS - CASE MACROCELLS IN COPLANAR ARRANGEMENT

The effect of macrocells formation on steel reinforcement in concrete beams is studied. Macrocells are due to the presence of spatially diff erentiated anodic and cathodic areas. A coplanar disposition which rep resents a non uniform current distribution is considered in this inves tigation. The current distribution can be modelled using a transmissio n line circuit. The results show that, for the experimental conditions , the galvanic effect is limited to the area close to the anode. Anode :cathode area ratios higher than 1:10 do not represent increments of t he galvanic current.