PSI - Issue 84

Martina Giglio et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 84 (2026) 9–16 M. Giglio et al. / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2026) 000–000

13

5

sensing element. Metallic films with micrometric thicknesses were used to simulate corrosion degradation. Samples were exposed to an evaporation-condensation environment using thermostatic baths maintained at a constant temperature of 40°C, reproducing accelerated corrosion conditions for steel rebars. The proposed approach aims to demonstrate the suitability of using passive RFID sensors as an innovative tool for monitoring corrosion process of metallic materials exposed to aggressive environments. By correlating the variation of RSSI signal with the progressive degradation of a metallic layer, the study provide preliminary evidence of how electromagnetic signal attenuation can serve as an indirect, non-destructive indicator of corrosion activity. The use of RFID-based technology offers a new perspective for continuous, real-time and long-term assessment of corrosion in prestressed concrete structures. The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute to the broader effort of implementing smart monitoring strategies for structural health management and durability improvement of civil infrastructures. 3.1. Laboratory setup The experimental tests aimed to evaluate corrosion progression using passive RFID sensors under controlled high humidity conditions. Two groups of samples were tested: one exposed to a closed 100% RH environment in presence of a recirculating deionized water and the other in presence of a chloride- rich water solution (0.5 mol/L NaCl). Each sample consisted of a rectangular plastic support hosting two parallel RFID tags spaced 5 mm apart, as shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 2. RFID sample composition.

One tag was coated (working tag) with a metallic layer bonded with cyanoacrylate, while the second tag remained uncoated (reference tag). Three initial metallic layer thicknesses were tested (30 µm, 40 µm, and 50 µm) to assess the influence of thickness on corrosion kinetics. The specimens were exposed for eight weeks to a constant evaporation

Fig. 3. Complete assembly of thermostatic bath