A multi-phase-field framework for non-uniform corrosion and corrosion-induced concrete cracking

Abstract

Predicting the failure of reinforced concrete structures due to rebar corrosion is significant in maintaining the service life of concrete structures. This paper presents a multi-phase-field framework at the mesoscale to investigate the time-dependent process of non-uniform corrosion and concrete cracking. The evolution of the corrosion morphology and cracking pattern were described by a phase field corrosion model and a phase field regularized cohesive zone model, respectively. The diffusion-corrosion coupling and corrosion-fracture coupling were achieved by corrosion-induced current density and expansion-induced strain, respectively. The diffusion-crack interaction and the rust-concrete confinement were included in the model. The numerical results of each model component were compared with three separate experimental data. The effects of interface thickness and length scale on corrosion and fracture behaviors were investigated. Two numerical experiments were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of studying the evolution characteristics of corrosion and cracking under localized corrosion and non-uniform corrosion in 3D.