In situ Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization curves were used to study the corrosion behavior of reinforcing steel in simulated concrete pore (SCP) solutions (saturated Ca(OH)(2) solutions). Results indicated that the reinforcing steel remained passive in chloride-free SCP solutions. However, the anodic polarization curve of the steel did not exhibit a stable passive region in the SCP solution with 0.5 M NaCl, the corrosion current density exceeded 0.1 mu A cm(-2), the steel surface was unstable with chloride attack and localized corrosion appeared on it with FeCO3 and Fe2O3 as the main corrosion products. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.