ASTM C876-15

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 may be used at any time during the life of a concrete member.  
4.4 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.  
4.5 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 data such as chloride contents, depth of carbonation, delamination survey findings, rate of corrosion results, and environmental exposure conditions, in addition to corrosion potential measurements, to formulate conclusions concerning corrosion activity of embedded steel and its probable effect on the service life of a structure.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2015
• 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 − 15
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.
3
1. Scope ing (Withdrawn 2010)
G16Guide for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion
1.1 This test method covers the estimation of the electrical
Data
corrosion potential of uncoated reinforcing steel in field and
laboratory concrete, for the purpose of determining the corro-
3. Terminology
sion activity of the reinforcing steel.
3.1 Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthistestmethod,referto
1.2 This test method is limited by electrical circuitry.
Terminology G15.
Concrete surface in building interiors and desert environments
losesufficientmoisturesothattheconcreteresistivitybecomes
4. Significance and Use
so high that special testing techniques not covered in this test
4.1 Thistestmethodissuitableforin-serviceevaluationand
method may be required (see 5.1.4.1). Concrete surfaces that
for use in research and development work.
are coated or treated with sealers may not provide an accept-
4.2 This test method is applicable to members regardless of
able electrical circuit. The basic configuration of the electrical
their size or the depth of concrete cover over the reinforcing
circuit is shown in Fig. 1.
steel. Concrete cover in excess of 3 in. (75 mm) can result in
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
an averaging of adjacent reinforcement corrosion potentials
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
that can result in a loss of the ability to discriminate variation
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
in relative corrosion activity.
and are not considered standard.
4.3 Thistestmethodmaybeusedatanytimeduringthelife
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of a concrete member.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.4 The results obtained by the use of this test method shall
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
not be considered as a means for estimating the structural
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
properties of the steel or of the reinforced concrete member.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.5 The potential measurements should be interpreted by
engineers or technical specialists experienced in the fields of
2. Referenced Documents
concretematerialsandcorrosiontesting.Itisoftennecessaryto
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
use other data such as chloride contents, depth of carbonation,
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
delamination survey findings, rate of corrosion results, and
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
environmental exposure conditions, in addition to corrosion
G3Practice for Conventions Applicable to Electrochemical
potential measurements, to formulate conclusions concerning
Measurements in Corrosion Testing
corrosion activity of embedded steel and its probable effect on
G15TerminologyRelatingtoCorrosionandCorrosionTest-
the service life of a structure.
5. Apparatus
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 on
5.1 The testing apparatus consists of the following:
Corrosion of Metalsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.14 on
5.1.1 Reference Electrode:
Corrosion of Metals in Construction Materials.
5.1.1.1 The reference electrode selected shall provide a
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015. Published April 2016. Originally
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C876–09. DOI:
stable and reproducible potential for the measurement of the
10.1520/C0876-15.
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 − 15
FIG. 1 Reference Electrode Circuitry
corrosion potential of reinforcing steel embedded in concrete
over the temperature range from 32 to 120°F (0 to 49°C).
5.1.1.2 For the purposes of this standard, corrosion poten-
tials shall be based upon the half-cell reaction Cu→ Cu++ +
2e- corresponding to the potential of the saturated copper-
copper sulfate reference electrode as referenced to t
...

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 − 09 C876 − 15
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
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.
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 may be used at any time during the life of a concrete member.
4.4 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.
4.5 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 data such as chloride contents, depth of carbonation, delamination
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G01 on Corrosion of Metalsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G01.14 on Corrosion of
Metals in Construction Materials.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009Nov. 1, 2015. Published May 2009April 2016. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 19992009 as
C876–91(1999)C876, which was withdrawn September 2008 and reinstated in April 2009. DOI: 10.1520/C0876-09.–09. DOI: 10.1520/C0876-15.
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’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 − 15
FIG. 1 Reference Electrode Circuitry
survey findings, rate of corrosion results, and environmental exposure conditions, in addition to corrosion potential measurements,
to formulate conclusions concerning corrosion activity of embedded steel and its probable effect on the service life of a structure.
5. Apparatus
5.1 The testing apparatus consists of the following:
5.1.1 Reference Electro
...