This paper summarises the results obtained from numerical simulations of an operational measurement mode of polarisation resistance adapted for evaluating corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete on cooling towers. A simple operational measurement mode of R-p, is proposed, adapted for cooling towers prone to corrosion due to carbonation. By means of numerical experimentations, calculation diagrams and semi-empirical equations are built involving the different influencing parameters: concrete cover to steel reinforcement, concrete resistivity and current intensity injected from the counter electrode. Finally, a first application of the proposed procedure for calculating the real value of R-p, in laboratory conditions is presented. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.