Durability of reinforced concrete containing biochar

Recently, within the field of new cementitious building materials development, there has been a grow-ing interest in the use of biochar, which represents the solid by-product resulting from biomass pyrol-ysis or gasification processes. The addition of biochar particles into concrete admixures can offer an eco-friendly carbon sequestration solution while possibly improving concrete mechanical properties. However, the role of biochar on durability of concrete and steel corrosion is still unexplored. Within this context, this work presents the first results in terms of corrosion potentials (Ecor) polarization resistance (Rp) measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) recording, of an extensive study on the influence of biochar as a concrete additive during wet and dry (w/d) exposures in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution, containing 0.1 N CaCl2.