The corrosion damage in reinforced concrete structures, cause enormous economic losses worldwide.
Concrete structures in oceanic ports and piers are exposed to a series of physical and chemical
processes that can cause the rapid deterioration of both concrete and steel rebars. Such structures
must receive special attention by performing periodic assessments of their structural integrity and by
installing cathodic protection systems. The present paper describes the sequence used to evaluate the
corrosion of a reinforced concrete structure that crowned the sheet piling of the commercial pier of
Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala. Repair and corrosion protection methods and strategies are also
described.
Keywords: Reinforced concrete, coastal environment, concrete corrosion, cathodic protection systems.