Abstract: Field corrosion tests were conducted in salt swamp environments in Qinghai Province to investigate the corrosion of concrete in the region. The microstructure of concrete was observed under different burial conditions, and the durability of concrete was evaluated by assessing the mass loss, changes in anti-corrosion coefficient, and changes in corrosion rate of steel bars. Results indicate that changes in the mass of concrete can not be used as an evaluation index to describe concrete damage. Embedded in the ground or water, concrete mixed with cement-based materials exhibits the highest corrosion resistance coefficient, while concrete mixed with fly ash-silica fume has the highest corrosion resistance when buried at a depth of 1.25 m. Concrete deterioration results from multiple factors such as expansion force, freezing stress, and crystallization stress. The corrosion rate of concrete embedded in the ground, particularly reinforced concrete mixed merely with cement base, is the highest. The corrosion rate of concrete with fly ash-cement base is the lowest.

Key words: concrete, durability, salt swamp, corrosion test