Advantages of galvanised reinforcements

Greater protection of the reinforcements

In marine environments or environments with a strong presence of pollutants in the atmosphere, the galvanising coating provides the steel reinforcement with triple protection against corrosion:

Protection by barrier effect, isolating it from the aggressive environment.

Cathodic protection. The zinc will constitute the anodic part of the corrosion batteries that might form, and will be slowly consumed to protect the steel.

Restoration of bare areas. Zinc corrosion products clog the small discontinuities that may occur in the coating due to corrosion or mechanical damage (knocks, scratches, etc.).

Increased reliability and durability of the concrete

Increased reliability of reinforced concrete regarding its behaviour in aggressive environments.

Elimination of the risk of chipping of the concrete layer that covers the reinforcements, as a result of the increase in volume caused by corrosion, guaranteeing the thickness of coating.

Greater tolerance of reinforced concrete against deviations of formulation and execution that cause loss of compactness, such as an excessive water/cement ratio or a deficient vibration.

Does not need maintenance, in comparison to other treatments against corrosion.

Economic

According to studies carried out by the EDUARDO TORROJA CONSTRUCTION SCIENCE INSTITUTE in Spain, galvanised reinforcements double, at the least, the useful life of the construction.

It is readily available, as it comes from Manufactured Industrial Reinforcements or Prefabricated Reinforcements, and is a widely used treatment.

Elimination of costs derived from repairs and their subsequent times out of service, since once the process of corrosion of the reinforcements of the concrete starts, their repair is technically difficult and economically costly.

In addition, there are structures that, if they deteriorate preventing their use or need to be rehabilitated, create a critical situation (for example: the collapse that it would originate when the only existing access to a place goes out of service).