Title: Physical, Chemical and Mechanical Analysis of a Reinforced Concrete Beam Corroded in Chloride Environment

Author(s): T. Vidal, A. Castel, and R. Francois

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 212

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 59-76

Keywords: chloride; corrosion; reinforced concrete

DOI: 10.14359/12678

Date: 6/1/2003

Abstract:
This paper deals with the examination of a 17-year-old corroded beam. First, the cracking map due to corrosion was recorded. Second, a flexural test was conducted to measure the residual mechanical behaviour and the load-bearing capacity of the beam. Third, the degree of reinforcement Corrosion was assessed by removing all the concrete surrounding the reinforcing bars, and fourth the total chloride content in the vicinity of reinforcement was measured. The chloride content measure and the distribution of corrosion along the beam indicated that the prediction of corrosion initiation in reinforced concrete members is highly dependant on the quality of the steel-concrete interface. By comparing the cracking map and the degree of corrosion of the beam, actual models reliability, predicting the degree of corrosion from corrosion cracks width, was checked. A comparison between the mechanical behaviour and the degree of corrosion allowed a separation of the influence of steel section loss and bond loss on the decrease in the stiffness and the load-bearing capacity of the beam. Comparisons with existing models were also carried out.