Reinforced Concrete Members Subjected to Cyclic Tension and Corrosion

Abstract

Deterioration process due to corrosion of steel in concrete affects the performance of reinforced concrete structures both in service and ultimate conditions. Corrosion reduces the rebar section, deteriorates the surrounding concrete with the oxides expansion product and it also alters bond between steel and concrete. Moreover, in structures subjected to cyclic loading, the damage due to corrosion can be combined with the mechanical action that is present in service. In this case the initial crack pattern due to load action and to the rheological phenomena is further modified by the expansion of the oxides and by the interaction among those causes. In the present work, the results of an experimental campaign on reinforced concrete elements subjected to simultaneous corrosion and cyclic loading are shown. It is put in evidence the loss of structural performance, by effect of chemical degradation and mechanical action. The key role of the combined effect of those causes of deterioration is also confirmed by static tests performed under the condition of static loading and simultaneous corrosion.

Effect of bond degradation due to corrosion – a literature survey

“…al. [23], Fischer and Ozbolt [24], Law et al [25]), whereas this is not the case for others that still use very high level of current density (Abosrra et al [26] and Yalciner et al [27]). …”

“…bridges; the structural analysis of their components cannot be performed without coupling loading with chemical action. At the moment, only a small number of tests, such as those performed by Yoon et al [28], Ballim and Reid [29] and Giordano et al [23], report experimental research on corrosion tests during cyclic loading on RC structures. From the results of these tests it is evident that there is an interaction between load and corrosion which results in disproportionate effects in terms of structural damage.…”

“…From the results of these tests it is evident that there is an interaction between load and corrosion which results in disproportionate effects in terms of structural damage. It is particularly interesting to consider -as put forward by Giordano et al [23] -that the presence of cyclic actions together with corrosion processes implies a localization of corrosion around the transverse cracks in addition to the distributed corrosion (see Fig. 1).…”

A Model for the Analysis of Ultimate Capacity of RC and PC Corroded Beams

“…is is the case of existing structures where detailing to enhance ductility and anchorage performance was not completely adequate. In fact, longitudinal cracking caused by corrosion and the progressive loss of confinement exerted by concrete is responsible for a change of behavior for anchorages and overlapping zones and more in general for the transfer mechanism of stresses [16], further exalted if a mechanical action is present [18].…”

Hysteretic Behavior of Eccentrically Loaded Reinforced Air-Entrained Concrete Columns under Combined Effects of Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Seawater Corrosion

“…e experimental results by Giordano et al [11] showed that both chemical corrosion and applied cyclic load contributed to the deterioration of RC structural performance. A typical aging RC bridge was investigated by Simon et al [12], and it was found that its seismic resistance and ductility were marginally affected by the corrosion.…”