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 migration
afforded by reinforcement, such that ingress of this species must be treated as two- rather than
one-dimensional. In the present research, reinforced concrete slabs were exposed outdoors while
cyclically ponded with a NaCl solution. Subsequent to corrosion initiation, selected slabs were
cored, dissected, and [Cl-] determined 1) within the cores and 2) from shallow millings immediate
to the reinforcement, both removed from and at the active corrosion site. It was demonstrated
from previous research 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 concentration of this species. In this research, both [Cl-] and coarse
aggregate distributions along the Cl- diffusion path within the concrete cover were analyzed. The
results are discussed within the context of understanding factors that affect Cl- transport and the
relatively wide variation in [Cl-]th that has been reported in the literature.