Several prestressing reinforced structures have recently collapsed due to chloride-induced steel corrosion. This study investigates the effect of the corrosion of hot-dip galvanized conventional prestressing steel reinforcement under hydrogen evolution on bond strength in normal-strength concrete. The impact of hydrogen evolution on the porosity of cement paste at the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is verified through image analysis. The whole surface of prestressing strands is hot-dip galvanized, and their corrosion behavior when embedded in the cement paste is investigated by measuring the time dependence of the open-circuit potential. Concerning the uniformity of the hot-dip galvanized coating and its composition, it is advisable to coat the individual wires of the prestressing reinforcement and subsequently form a strand. It is demonstrated that the corrosion of the coating under the evolution of hydrogen in the cement paste reduces the bond strength of hot-dip galvanized reinforcement in normal-strength concrete. Image analysis after 28 days of cement paste aging indicates insignificant filling of hydrogen-generated pores by zinc corrosion products. Applying an additional surface treatment (topcoat) stable in an alkaline environment is necessary to avoid corrosion of the coating under hydrogen evolution and limit the risk of bond strength reduction.

The determination of the load bearing capacity of masonry in existing structures is not an easy task, even for experienced surveyors. For its assessment, it is necessary to know the compressive strength of the masonry units and mortar. Relatively good destructive and non-destructive methods were developed for the determination of the compressive strength of masonry units. However, mortar compressive strength determination is currently closer to a rough estimation rather than a deterministic approach. All of the currently used methods are either complicated, have a limited application, or are based on the surveyor’s experience only. Influence of the human factor on the results of testing is significant. The paper introduces the development of a new non-destructive method, which eliminates the influence of the human factor. The method is supposed to work as quickly and as easily as the Schmidt hammer used for concrete structure surveys. The new instrument was created where the compressive strength of mortar is assessed by hammering a steel bar into a joint with constant energy, while the depth of penetration is measured. The impact energy is provided by a steel spring with a prescribed stiffness, and the loading is provided by an automatic system similar to those used in air-soft guns.

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and ultrasound gel (USG) seem to be suitable clear model fluids to substitute real ultra-high-performance concretes (UHPCs), enabling experimental monitoring of events occurring within these mixtures at similar flow behaviour. USG is eligible for UHPC mixtures with significant yield stress. CMC having a suitable concentration is better for UHPCs exhibiting indistinct yield stress. The rheological behaviour of real UHPC mixtures as well as substituting model fluids was measured using a non-standard system consisting of a vessel stirred by an anchor or a screw agitator. In addition, a standard rotational rheometer system with concentric cylinder geometry was used for optimization of the above-mentioned method of measurement and also for measuring the rheological parameters of the substituting model fluids. This article deals with the methodology for measuring the rheological properties of these substances and presents the results of the measurements using flow curves and rheological models.

In this paper, the effect of gradually increasing amounts of KMnO₄ (10⁻⁴, 10⁻³, 10⁻² mol·L⁻¹) in cement paste on the bond strength of a plain hot-dip galvanized steel bar was evaluated. The open-circuit potential of HDG samples in cement paste with various additions of MnO₄⁻ was monitored in order to follow a transfer of zinc from activity to passivity. Furthermore, the influence of the addition of these anions on the physicochemical properties of normal-strength concrete or cement paste was evaluated by means of hydration heat measurements, X-ray diffraction analysis, and compressive strength. The effective concentration of MnO₄⁻ anions prevents the corrosion of the coating with hydrogen evolution and ensures that the bond strength is not reduced by their action, which was determined to be 10⁻³ mol·L⁻¹. Lower additions of MnO₄⁻ anions (10⁻⁴ mol·L⁻¹) are ineffective in this respect. On the other hand, higher additions of MnO₄⁻ anions (10⁻² mol·L⁻¹), although they ensure the corrosion of the coating in fresh concrete without hydrogen evolution, but affect the hydration process of the cement paste that was demonstrated by slight water separation.

In this study, the corrosion properties of plasma-sprayed Al₂O₃ coating (APSS) with a topcoat of zirconium-based conversion coating (ZrCC) and organofunctional silane coating (3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane; GPTMS) on carbon steel are investigated in detail. Additionally, the bond strength of plain steel bars coated with this system in normal strength concrete are newly tested. The APSS coating exhibits significant porosity, with unfavourable open pores limiting the barrier protection effect. In contrast, the surface roughness (R_a) significantly increases, improving the bond strength between steel bars and concrete. Such increase in carbon steel roughness improves bond strength in concrete. The synergic application of ZrCC and GPTMS topcoats significantly enhances the corrosion resistance of the base coat (inhibition effect). The character of the GPTMS coating increases the wettability of the APSS coating, which further positively contributes to bond strength between plain bars and concrete. It is demonstrated that when the ZrCC topcoat is applied without GPTMS, the corrosion resistance increases insignificantly and the surface wettability decreases, negatively affecting bond strength in comparison with carbon steel coated using an APSS base coat only.