Whats Oxidation in building structures and how it weakens the strength of steel?
Rust is Ferrous Oxide, this is a compound of Iron and Oxygen. When air gets into the cracks, and makes contact with your steel, oxidation process starts. There is a misconception that water makes steel to rust. It is the oxygen in the air actually. However, water hastens the process of oxidation that’s why we suspect it to cause the rusting. The reason cracks on buildings are: 1. Inadequate reinforcement. The bending moment of such elements might be too large that steel inside the element cannot withstand and causes the cracks on concrete. 2. Poor workmanship. During the concreting, there might be some honeycombs which were not treated effectively. The voids inside and outside the concrete weakens the concrete. This is also due to ineffective vibration during the placing of concrete. 3. Cold joints might not have been treated with grouting. Connection of concrete from old pour to new pour should have been treated with cement grout. 4. Lack of waterproofing. The materials which used for
