3D finite element modelling of corrosion of lap splice joints in concrete

Abstract

The paper presents a numerical study of the chloride induced corrosion process in lap splice joints in concrete. The problem is simulated using a recently developed 3D Chemo-Hygro-Thermo-Mechanical (CHTM) model for concrete, which is employed to simulate accelerated corrosion, the same as performed in the experimental test taken from the literature. For different corrosion levels, corrosion current density, rust production, expansion of corrosion products, stresses induced in concrete and corrosion induced damage of concrete are calculated. The corrosion induced cracking of concrete cover is compared with the experimental results and good agreement between experimental observations and numerical simulations is obtained.