Chloride Testing

Chloride testing is performed to determine the concentration of chloride ions within reinforced concrete and evaluate their potential to initiate or accelerate corrosion of embedded reinforcing steel. Chlorides may originate from seawater, deicing salts, process water, contaminated materials, or constituents present in the original concrete mixture. 

Samples are collected at discrete depths to develop a chloride profile through the concrete. This is particularly useful for determining how chlorides have migrated into the concrete pore structure and whether they are present in significant enough quantities to exceed the threshold to initiate corrosion at the depth of reinforcement.  

Chloride testing is commonly incorporated into condition assessments of marine structures, bridges, parking structures, water and wastewater facilities, and other reinforced concrete structures where corrosion is suspected. Results can help identify the cause of deterioration, provide useful data in estimating the lifespan of a structure, and influence repair design decisions.