Analytical Determination of Flexural Resistance of Rein-forced Concrete Beams with Corrosion

Abstract

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the main problems associated with deterioration of reinforced concrete structures. The dimensions of the cross-section of concrete and steel reinforcement is reduced due to corrosion. Because of this, structural strength of the concrete elements is also reduced. Therefore, the behavior of the structure can be committed. In this work, analytical and experimental strengths of reinforced concrete beams affected with corrosion are compared. The experimental strengths of 11 beams found in the literature were considered. The analytical flexural strength was determined by using the fundamental hypotheses of the flexural theory. The constitutive model of steel reinforcement was based on the model proposed by Rodríguez and Botero and the experimental results found in the literature. The relationship between analytical strength and experimental flexural strength varied between 0.97 and 1.12. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the strength of reinforced concrete beams affected with corrosion is predicted accurately using flexural theory. However, it is necessary to consider the reductions in the geometry of the beam, the reduction in the section in the longitudinal and transverse steel reinforcement; and corresponding changes in their constitutive models.