Title: Control of Rust Damage of Reinforced Concrete in a Corrosive Environment

Author(s): N. Saeki, Y. Fujita, N. Takada, and T. Ohta

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 109

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 163-178

Keywords: corrosion; cracking (fracturing); damage; expansion; rusting; marine atmospheres; reinforced concrete; reinforcing steels; stresses; Structural Research

DOI: 10.14359/2788

Date: 8/1/1988

Abstract:
A new index has been suggested for controlling and protecting reinforced concrete from corrosion. This index, defined as the difference in the average strain between concrete and reinforcing bar, is tentatively called the cracking index. On the basis of the exposure tests, relationships between the cracking index and the rust thickness of reinforcing bars in concrete are evaluated under corrosive atmosphere. Cracking index could be used for the assessment of corrosion. The relationship between the critical rust, which is the rust thickness of reinforcing bars at the onset of longitudinal cracking, and cover thickness is obtained by rapid corrosion tests. It is concluded that the allowable stress for reinforcing bars--thus the corrosion--can be controlled by the required amount of concrete cover.