Scholarship Applications

This project aims at studying the use of hydrotalcites for improving the durability of concrete, in particular in environments (sea water, de-icing salts) where chloride ingress causes corrosion of reinforcing steel. Insufficient durability and in particular premature corrosion of reinforcement are important maintenance issues for civil engineering structures (bridges, tunnels, harbour quays, parking houses) that cause high societal costs and consumption of materials and energy. Hydrotalcites are layered inorganic materials with the capacity to exchange anions with their environment.

The study aims to obtain hydrotalcites that capture chloride and release ions that inhibit corrosion. The objectives are to slow down chloride ingress, to increase the critical chloride content for corrosion initiation and to reduce the corrosion rate. The study involves synthesising and characterising various hydrotalcites and modifying them with inhibitive organic anions. Electrochemical testing in solution and in mortar (corrosion potential, polarisation resistance, rapid chloride migration, concrete resistivity) and determining the effects on concrete technology (workability, hardening, strength, carbonation) will be part of the experimental programme. Applications in demonstration projects are foreseen for precast concrete, in situ concrete and in repair cases. Quantifying the effects for application in service life predictions will reach out to potential users

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