Monitoring reinforcement corrosion and corrosion-induced cracking by X-ray microcomputed tomography method

X-ray microcomputed tomography (X-ray μCT) method is proposed to trace steel corrosion and corrosion-induced cracking in cement paste. Experimental results show it can track the time-dependent development of steel corrosion and corrosion products, as well as the subsequent initiation and propagation of corrosion-induced cracks. Furthermore, the information of corrosion pits, corrosion products, and corrosion-induced cracks can be clearly obtained from the whole specimen by this novel method. Additionally, SEM/EDS results agree closely with image analyses by X-ray μCT. This method provides a new angle to investigate the reinforcement corrosion process and can help to improve the numerical analysis of corrosion-induced damage in reinforced concrete structures. •Reinforcement corrosion and corrosion-induced cracking is traced by X-ray μCT method.•The development of corrosion products can be determined as a function of time and space.•Subsequent initiation and propagation of corrosion-induced cracks can be monitored.•The time-dependent corrosion process can be quantitative analyzed by X-ray μCT measurement.