What is BS EN 990 - Corrosion protection of reinforcement in ACC and LAC about?
BS EN 990 is a European Standard on the test methods for verification of corrosion protection of concrete. The main aim of BS EN 990 is to provide the best industry guidance to ensure construction materials contribute to the structural integrity of your civil engineering works.
BS EN 990 specifies the test methods for verification of the effectiveness of the corrosion protection of reinforcing steel embedded in components of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) according to prEN 12602 or in components of lightweight aggregate concrete with open structure (LAC) according to prEN 1520.
Note: Tests according to BS EN 990 are not required for LAC-components if corrosion protection is achieved by embedding the reinforcing bars completely in a zone of concrete with closed structure according to prEN 1520:2002, 5.8.3.3.
Who is BS EN 990 - Corrosion protection of reinforcement in ACC and LAC for?
BS EN 990 on corrosion protection of reinforcement in ACC and LAC is useful for:
- Manufacturers of concrete and concrete products
- LAC and ACC manufacturers
- Designers of reinforcing steels
- Civil engineers
- Contractors
- Quality control and testing units
Why should you use BS EN 990 - Corrosion protection of reinforcement in ACC and LAC?
Corrosion of steel bars is extremely damaging to reinforced concrete parts, reducing their serviceability and even causing structural failure. However, several precautions can be taken to prevent steel bar corrosion on building sites.
BS EN 990 performs test methods on test specimens consisting of AAC or LAC with open structures with embedded reinforcing bars cut from prefabricated reinforced components or manufactured separately. The steel surface is examined visually for corrosion and the area of the corroded surface is determined.
In this regard, the test methods mentioned in BS EN 990 can be used to examine the fundamental suitability of a corrosion protection system in combination with a defined manufacturing process for the production of reinforced components. They can also be used for current production control.
BS EN 990 specifies the apparatus requirements, sealing of the end faces and conditioning of the test specimens of concretes.
Three different methods of short-term tests (methods 1 to 3) are provided in BS EN 990, namely:
- Short-term test with alternate wetting with sodium chloride solution and drying in the air
- Short-term test with alternate wetting with water and drying in warm air
- Short-term test with alternating temperature
As a result, if you are a manufacturer of concrete materials, complying with BS EN 990 can assist you in manufacturing concrete with high quality and low permeability for controlling various corrosion mechanisms and preventing reinforcement corrosion.
