ABSTRACT
In concrete bridge structures suffering from reinforcement corrosion induced by the penetration of deicing salt, the removal and replacement of all severely chloridecontaminated concrete is often difficult, structurally or technically undesirable and economically unviable. Of the alternatives, one possible approach is to repair only cracked or spalled concrete and leave visibly undamaged but chloride-contaminated concrete in place, relying on a surface treatment to maintain the concrete at a sufficiently low moisture content to minimise corrosion activity. The treatment used should not only prevent the ingress of further water and chlorides but should permit water vapour to pass out, hence allowing the concrete to dry out. Water-repellant surface impregnations such
as silane have been promoted as having the desired qualities, but there is a lack of published data on their use in this particular remedial application.
