ASTM C876-22

Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is suitable for in-service evaluation and for use in research and development work.  
4.2 This test method is applicable to members regardless of their size or the depth of concrete cover over the reinforcing steel. Concrete cover in excess of 3 in. (75 mm) can result in an averaging of adjacent reinforcement corrosion potentials that can result in a loss of the ability to discriminate variation in relative corrosion activity.  
4.3 This test method is not applicable to reinforced concrete structures with epoxy-coated reinforcement.  
4.4 This test method is not applicable to reinforced concrete structures in which waterproofing membranes are located between the reinforcement cage and the concrete surface as they can prevent the conduction of electricity and result in erroneous readings.  
4.5 This test method may be used at any time during the life of a concrete member after the concrete has set, although it is generally most useful for evaluating mature reinforced concrete that is suspected to be susceptible to corrosion.  
4.6 The results obtained by the use of this test method shall not be considered as a means for estimating the structural properties of the steel or of the reinforced concrete member.  
4.7 Temperature and humidity can impact potential readings. This is particularly important for periodic testing of the same test location. An increase in the temperature leads to increasing ionic mobility, which in turn affects the reference electrode’s potential. The temperature influence can be neglected if the measurements are taken within the range of 22.2 °C ± 5.5 °C (72 °F ± 10 °F). Otherwise, the temperature-dependency of the measurements must be taken into account.  
4.8 The potential measurements should be interpreted by engineers or technical specialists experienced in the fields of concrete materials and corrosion testing. It is often necessary to use other complementary data such as chloride contents, depth of carbonation, ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the estimation of the electrical corrosion potential of uncoated reinforcing steel in field and laboratory concrete, for the purpose of determining the corrosion activity of the reinforcing steel.  
1.2 This test method is limited by electrical circuitry. Concrete surface in building interiors and desert environments lose sufficient moisture so that the concrete resistivity becomes so high that special testing techniques not covered in this test method may be required (see 5.1.4.1). Concrete surfaces that are coated or treated with sealers may not provide an acceptable electrical circuit. The basic configuration of the electrical circuit is shown in Fig. 1.
FIG. 1 Reference Electrode Circuitry  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2022
• ICS: 77.140.15 - Steels for reinforcement of concrete
• Technical Committee: G01 - Corrosion of Metals
• Drafting Committee: G01.14 - Corrosion of Metals in Construction Materials

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C876 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in
1
Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C876; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the estimation of the electrical
G3Practice for Conventions Applicable to Electrochemical
corrosion potential of uncoated reinforcing steel in field and
Measurements in Corrosion Testing
laboratory concrete, for the purpose of determining the corro-
G15TerminologyRelatingtoCorrosionandCorrosionTest-
sion activity of the reinforcing steel.
3
ing (Withdrawn 2010)
1.2 This test method is limited by electrical circuitry.
G16Guide for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion
Concrete surface in building interiors and desert environments
Data
losesufficientmoisturesothattheconcreteresistivitybecomes
so high that special testing techniques not covered in this test
3. Terminology
method may be required (see 5.1.4.1). Concrete surfaces that
3.1 Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthistestmethod,referto
are coated or treated with sealers may not provide an accept-
Terminology G15.
able electrical circuit. The basic configuration of the electrical
circuit is shown in Fig. 1.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
4.1 Thistestmethodissuitableforin-serviceevaluationand
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
for use in research and development work.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4.2 This test method is applicable to members regardless of
and are not considered standard.
their size or the depth of concrete cover over the reinforcing
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
steel. Concrete cover in excess of 3 in. (75 mm) can result in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
an averaging of adjacent reinforcement corrosion potentials
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
that can result in a loss of the ability to discriminate variation
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in relative corrosion activity.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.3 Thistestmethodisnotapplicabletoreinforcedconcrete
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
structures with epoxy-coated reinforcement.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.4 Thistestmethodisnotapplicabletoreinforcedconcrete
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
structures in which waterproofing membranes are located
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
between the reinforcement cage and the concrete surface as
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
they can prevent the conduction of electricity and result in
erroneous readings.
2. Referenced Documents
4.5 Thistestmethodmaybeusedatanytimeduringthelife
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of a concrete member after the concrete has set, although it is
generally most useful for evaluating mature reinforced con-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 on
crete that is suspected to be susceptible to corrosion.
Corrosion of Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.14 on
4.6 The results obtained by the use of this test method shall
Corrosion of Metals in Construction Materials.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2022. Published September 2022. Originally
not be considered as a means for estimating the structural
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C876–15. DOI:
properties of the steel or of the reinforced concrete member.
10.1520/C0876-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C876 − 22
FIG. 1 Reference Electrode Circuitry
4.7 Temperature and humidity can impact potential read- corrosion potential of reinforcing steel embedded in concrete
ings. This is particularly important for periodic testing of the over the temperature range from 32°F to 120
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C876 − 15 C876 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in
1
Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C876; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the estimation of the electrical corrosion potential of uncoated reinforcing steel in field and laboratory
concrete, for the purpose of determining the corrosion activity of the reinforcing steel.
1.2 This test method is limited by electrical circuitry. Concrete surface in building interiors and desert environments lose sufficient
moisture so that the concrete resistivity becomes so high that special testing techniques not covered in this test method may be
required (see 5.1.4.1). Concrete surfaces that are coated or treated with sealers may not provide an acceptable electrical circuit.
The basic configuration of the electrical circuit is shown in Fig. 1.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
G3 Practice for Conventions Applicable to Electrochemical Measurements in Corrosion Testing
3
G15 Terminology Relating to Corrosion and Corrosion Testing (Withdrawn 2010)
G16 Guide for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion Data
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology G15.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 on Corrosion of Metals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.14 on Corrosion of
Metals in Construction Materials.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2022. Published April 2016September 2022. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 20092015 as
C876–09.–15. DOI: 10.1520/C0876-15.10.1520/C0876-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C876 − 22
FIG. 1 Reference Electrode Circuitry
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is suitable for in-service evaluation and for use in research and development work.
4.2 This test method is applicable to members regardless of their size or the depth of concrete cover over the reinforcing steel.
Concrete cover in excess of 3 in. (75 mm) can result in an averaging of adjacent reinforcement corrosion potentials that can result
in a loss of the ability to discriminate variation in relative corrosion activity.
4.3 This test method is not applicable to reinforced concrete structures with epoxy-coated reinforcement.
4.4 This test method is not applicable to reinforced concrete structures in which waterproofing membranes are located between
the reinforcement cage and the concrete surface as they can prevent the conduction of electricity and result in erroneous readings.
4.5 This test method may be used at any time during the life of a concrete member.member after the concrete has set, although
it is generally most useful for evaluating mature reinforced concrete that is suspected to be susceptible
...