Influence of Corrosion-Inhibiting Monolayers on the Bond Strength and Durability of Reinforced Concrete Structures Under Service Conditions

Corrosion protection in reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments remains a critical challenge in civil and architectural engineering. One promising approach involves the application of corrosion-inhibiting monolayers on the reinforcement, such as those formed using 4-aminobenzoic acid. Two methods have previously been employed to generate these monolayers: one relying on the adhesion of an organic compound and the other utilising an externally modified approach via electrolysis. This study assesses the influence of this treatment on the steel-concrete bond strength and durability, both critical properties for the structural performance of reinforced concrete under service conditions. For this purpose, pull-out tests were performed on specimens subjected to load-unload cycles to analyse bond behaviour and monolayer integrity. The results indicate that these treatments do not adversely affect the bond strength between reinforcement and concrete. Furthermore, the rebars treated with the inhibitor exhibit less corrosion damage than the untreated rebars. This fact is particularly significant in the rebars treated using the natural adhesion method, with the steel section loss being 32-37% lower than in the untreated rebars. These findings support the feasibility of applying this treatment without compromising structural functionality.