An enhanced method in predicting tensile behaviour of corroded thick steel plate specimens by using random field approach

Abstract

The present work investigates the possibility of using random field techniques in modelling the mechanical behaviour of corroded thick steel plate specimens. The nonlinear Finite Element method, employing the explicit dynamic solver, is used to analyse the mechanical properties of typical specimens. A material model considering full nonlinearity is used to evaluate the stress-strain response. The influence of major governing parameters of both specimen dimensions and random field is investigated through the sensitivity analysis. In order to validate the proposed methodology, results are compared with available experimental data showing an excellent agreement in both mechanical properties and stress-strain relationships. Additionally, the conclusion is made that the irregularities in the corroded surface are the main factor resulting in the decrease of mechanical properties. In this way, random field modelling appeared to be a practical and fast technique for modelling the corroded surfaces of steel structures in analysing their structural behaviour.