Malumbela, G.; Alexander, M.; Moyo, P.(Elsevier http://www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat, NaN, 2011)
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Abstract:
Cracking of the cover concrete due to steel corrosion is considered by many researchers to indicate the
end-of-service life of corrosion-affected reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Numerous models have been
developed to predict the time from corrosion initiation to cracking of the cover concrete. In the previous
models, concrete with corroding steel bars was assumed to behave like a thick-walled cylinder under uniform
internal pressure. Recent research publications have however, shown that steel corrosion is often
concentrated on the surface of the steel that faces the direction of ingress of corrosion agents. This paper
presents a model that relates the level of partial surface steel corrosion with the transverse and vertical
strains measured on the exterior faces of corrosion-affected RC beams. The model assumes that the
remaining section of the steel after corrosion is elliptical shaped. Finally, the model is calibrated with
experimental data in the literature and it is shown that assuming uniform steel corrosion underestimates
the internal pressure applied by the expansive corrosion products.