Abstract
The re-appearance of corrosion on refurbished corroded RC structures under chloride attack is a multifaceted phenomenon which clearly needs further investigation due to limited amount of literature available in the past having a difference of opinion. In this paper electrochemical experimentation has been conducted replicating the actual patch repair works in the construction field. Steel reinforced concrete experiment specimen was cast having no chloride content in the middle portion and 5% chloride at the two ends. Here, the middle portion with no chloride content simulates the actual patch of new concrete in the repaired portion of reinforced concrete affected by chloride induced corrosion. From the experiment results it was found that the specimen having no chloride content at the middle portion showed high corrosion potential and chloride contaminated both sides of the specimen showed even more corrosion than before being repaired due to the separation of anode and cathode and development of a macro-cell. This has practical implications that need to be considered for an effective and durable repair. The research indicates that much of the needed research should focus on identification of corrosion mechanisms to effectuate the successful patch repair in reinforced concrete structures. In the future, more specimens should be tested for variable chloride concentrations.