Steel-reinforced concrete is literally responsible for every city skyline in existence, but chlorides in the environment will eventually corrode and degrade the steel inside it. This causes the steel rebar or mesh inside concrete to corrode, severely diminishing the strength of a concrete structure. Before the steel corrodes, however, it also expands up to four times, causing cracks, stains, crazing and spalling.
Chlorides can be found in soils, deicing salts, and in marine environments. Some examples or structures include parking garage decks and support structure, bridge decks and support members, and coastal structures. Chlorides are also occasionally added to concrete during manufacture. DCI® S is recommended for any steel-reinforced concrete structure in these conditions.