Stainless steel rebar for old and new constructions: durability and savings

摘要

The risks of corrosion caused by carbonation and the presence of chlorides for carbon steel bars, normally used in concrete, and the resulting damage to the entire structure (deterioration, loss of structural efficiency) and the parts in concrete (cracking and detachment of the concrete) makes stainless steel rebars (improved adhesion bars) a cost effective choice, despite its initial higher cost. In fact, we must consider that being stainless steel used only in the parts most exposed to the risks of corrosion (e.g. the reinforcement immediately above the concrete covers of the piles of viaducts on which de-icing salt has been spread), thus a small part in relation to the entire structure, the additional cost is minimal. This expense becomes even more negligible and even a "gain" if considered as a life cycle cost (LCC), in that over the years the costs of repairs and loss of efficiency are avoided.