Treating concrete structures to inhibit corrosion by heating the structure, cooling same under controlled temperature gradient, and applying an inhibiting agent to an internal portion of the structure

A process of inhibiting corrosion of a concrete structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, a thickness composed of a concrete composition therebetween which has reinforcement metal embedded therein, comprising

• a) heating at least a portion of said concrete structure to at least about 100.degree. C. at a predetermined depth of said structure's thickness;
• b) cooling said concrete structure at a rate to maintain a temperature gradient from said upper surface to said predetermined depth of up to +2.degree. C. per inch;
• c) applying an aqueous solution of a corrosion inhibiting agent to said upper surface of said structure for a sufficient time to provide a corrosion inhibiting amount of said agent to said structure;
• and
• d) apply an aqueous wash to said upper surface of said structure to remove said agent from said upper surface region of said structure.