The chloride concentration in concrete required to compromise reinforcing steel passivity and initiate active
corrosion, [Cl-]th, is an important service life determinant for reinforced concrete structures. However, consensus
regarding a value for [Cl-]th is lacking, as evidenced by the fact that reported experimental determinations vary by
more than an order of magnitude. A recently recognized factor that contributes to the range in [Cl-]th is the
obstruction to Cl- migration posed by reinforcement, such that ingress of this species must be treated as tworather
than one-dimensional. In the present research, reinforced concrete slabs were exposed to outdoor
conditions while cyclically ponded with a NaCl solution. Subsequent to corrosion initiation, selected slabs were
cored, dissected, and [Cl-] determined both from the cores and from shallow millings of concrete immediate to the
reinforcement. It is demonstrated that, in addition to the reinforcement obstruction effect, the spatial distribution
of coarse aggregates immediate to the reinforcement influences Cl- distribution and the measured value for this
parameter upon such sampling. The results are discussed within the context of understanding factors that effect
measured values for [Cl-] and the relatively wide variation in [Cl-]th that has been reported in the literature.