Quay Wall in the Port of Rotterdam: Detecting Corrosion Early

Challenge

Salt attacking the concrete from within

A quay wall is a concrete structure in permanently saline water. The damage mechanism is the same as for any concrete structure with salt ingress, except that here it acts without interruption: water carries salt into the concrete, and salt, together with moisture, dissolves the reinforcement without any visible sign of damage at first. Only once cracks appear does it become clear that more serious damage exists, and by then high repair costs are to be expected.

The task on the quay wall in the Port of Rotterdam was therefore to make damage in the concrete detectable before it reaches the structural substance.

Solution

Sensors that stay in the concrete

Corrosion and moisture sensors of the CorroDec 2G generation were deployed. They work wirelessly and without a battery, and are designed for the entire service life of the structure. For a structure like this, those are the decisive properties: there is no cable running through the concrete and no battery that would eventually require access to the sensor.

The corrosion sensor works on the principle of sacrificial corrosion. A sensor wire corrodes ahead of the reinforcement and so delivers a clear, dated event, rather than a reading that first needs interpreting. The sensors can also be retrofitted into existing structures. Readout happens on site and online, so the condition can be queried remotely.

Result

Early detection instead of a damage event

For the operator, this shifts the point of decision. Instead of waiting for visible damage, a dated event is available, and a measure can be planned while it is still small.

The project shows how concrete monitoring and moisture and corrosion monitoring in ports and logistics accompany a structure permanently standing in salt water. If you have a quay wall, a dock basin or a structure in water, describe your project to us through our project inquiry.