Embeddable corrosion monitoring-instrument for steel reinforced structures

The method of monitoring corrosion in a steel reinforced concrete structure comprising the steps of:

• assembling a monitoring device having electronic sensors having electrodes;
• positioning said electronic sensors within a protective case to enable said electrodes to contact said concrete;
• securing said electronic sensor within said protective case with a potting material;
• placing at least one monitoring device within said concrete during construction, said monitoring device containing electronic sensors having electrodes to monitor said corrosion;
• assigning each of said at least one monitoring device an ID number;
• networking each of said at least one monitoring device with other of said at least one monitoring device;
• connecting one of said at least one monitoring device to a data logger;
• completing said concrete structure;
• monitoring signals sent from said electronic sensors indicating corrosion levels within said structure at said data logger.

An instrument case to enable electronic sensors to be embedded into a structural material, said instrument case having:

• a hollow body, said hollow body being manufactured from a material having a flexural modulus at least equal to said structural material stress divided to by said structural material strain and having a first end, a closed second end and multiple sides each of said multiple sides having a connection length with an adjacent side, said body being configured to contain and protect electronic modules from contact by said structural material;
• at least one electrode receiving port in said first end, each of said at least one electrode receiving port enabling an electrode to contact said structural material;
• at least one protective tray, each of said at least one protective tray extending from said first end at about a right angled to surround said at least one electrode receiving port;
• at least one electronic sensor, said at least one electronic sensor being within said hollow body to receive data from said electrodes and transmit said data to a data gathering source;
• at least one cable port to receive a network cable;
• wherein said adjacent connection lengths are rounded to direct pressure from said structural material around said instrument case thereby preventing said instrument case from developing cracks from said pressure.