Structural Design of Polymer Protective Coatings for Reinforced Concrete Structures. Part I: Theoretical Considerations

In a number of situations reinforced concrete structures must be protected by barrier materials to prevent contact with aggressive agents. One of the ways to protect concrete structures from corrosion is to use protective polymer coatings. Polymers as coating materials are not totally resistant and impermeable to all aggressive agents. Gases, vapors and liquids penetrate into a polymer so that the polymer mass swells and eventually disintegrates. However, the penetration/disintegration progresses at a much lower rate than that in the concrete. Surface coatings are able to reduce considerably the penetration, to slow down the rate of deterioration of concrete cover and to overcome most durability problems associated with external attack. In this article the mechanism of degradation of polymer coatings are analyzed. Methodology and predictive models for the degradation over time caused by aggressive actions of polymer coatings are presented. Proposed models can be applied to design of polymer coatings. Such a design of coatings is presented in a simple form for engineering design purposes.