Abstract

TORRES ACOSTA, Andrés A. Structural consecuences of corrosion for reinforced concrete. Rev. Téc. Ing. Univ. Zulia [online]. 2007, vol.30, n.Especial, pp.245-251. ISSN 0254-0770.

This work presents an experimental investigation which correlates the flexure load capacity loss of reinforced concrete beams with the amount of steel cross section loss due to localized corrosion of the embedded steel. Concrete beams (100×150×1500 mm) with the central portion contaminated by chlorides, placed during mixing of the concrete, were used in this investigation. By applying 80 µA/cm² constant anodic current for approximately 48 to 183 days, further acceleration of the corrosion process was achieved. After the corrosion-acceleration period was over, the specimens were tested in flexure under three-point loading. In addition, the average corrosion penetration, x_AVER, was estimated for each corroded beam from gravimetric metal loss. The results obtained show a decrease as high as 40% in the flexure load capacity values with only 10% of rebar radius loss. But the appearance of deep pits (70% of original radius) on the rebar generated capacity losses as much as 60%.

Keywords : Accelerated corrosion; concrete durability; cracking; flexure load capacity.