## 1 Introduction  
The widespread use of reinforced concrete in the construction sector is mainly explained by its affordable cost and the flexibility in design it offers [1, 2, 3, 4]. This material provides essential characteristics such as structural integration, adaptability (due to its malleability), and notable fire resistance [3, 5, 6]. The durability of concrete, resulting in the prolonged lifespan of structures exposed to certain environmental conditions, is another of its highlighted attributes [7]. Reinforced concrete buildings are particularly widely used in coastal areas, where they demonstrate outstanding mechanical resistance and durability against adverse conditions such as freeze-thaw cycles. However, they face difficulties under other conditions, such as exposure to saline environments and carbonation, which can depassivate reinforcing steel [8]. The production of concrete has a considerable environmental impact, primarily due to cement manufacturing [9]. As a result, the industry has become oriented towards the production of concretes with lower ecological impacts in recent years [10, 11, 12]. Designing and constructing structures that last longer is crucial to minimizing the industry's carbon footprint, leading to long-term resource savings. The durability of structures can be compromised by several factors, starting with problems in the construction phase and followed by deteriorations in the first ten years of use [13, 14]. Therefore, construction regulations establish requirements which ensure the durability of reinforced concrete, with the aim that structures meet their expected lifespan [15]. To mitigate the effects of aggressive environments, different categories of environmental exposure have been established, considering factors such as the levels of humidity, wetting and drying cycles, and the presence of chlorides and other contaminating agents [16]. The corrosion of reinforcing steel is one of the most serious problems affecting the lifespan of reinforced concrete structures. The premature failure of these structures, manifesting in their inability to reach their designed lifespan due to corrosion and the resulting cracks in the concrete, is a constant concern [17; 18; 19; 20]. The Tuutti model [21; 22] allows us to analyze the deterioration of concrete, describing corrosion as a process divided into two phases: initiation and propagation. In this model, the presence of chlorides and carbonation are the main deteriorating agents [23; 24]. Several concurrent factors are required for the corrosion of steel re-bars by chloride ions: chloride levels above the critical limit, the availability of oxygen and moisture, and geometric irregularities at the interface of steel and concrete [13]. Among the elements that affect the corrosion process in reinforced concrete structures, the quality of the concrete, external environmental conditions, aspects of structural design, and the mechanical loads to which the structures are exposed stand out [25; 26]. From a sustainability perspective, protecting structures from corrosion at early stages extends their lifespan and contributes to resource savings [27]. Preventing corrosion is crucial to optimizing the maintenance of structures, with preventive management being preferable over reactive maintenance when seeking to prolong the life of buildings and reduce repair costs. To prevent corrosion, it is essential to use high-quality concrete, with proper curing and sufficient concrete cover, thus improving its physical properties such as density and impermeability. In particularly severe conditions, additional prevention methods can be considered, such as the use of corrosion inhibitors, coatings, corrosion-resistant re-bars, and cathodic protection techniques [28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35]. Corrosion inhibitors are effective in both prevention and in the treatment of structures affected by chloride-induced corrosion or carbonation.