Corrosion-induced cracking propagation of RC beams subjected to different corrosion methods and load levels

Abstract

Corrosion-induced concrete cracking is a major phenomenon of structural deterioration, useful to appraise durability of structures in service. In this work, beam specimens subjected to loads were corroded by drying-wetting cycles and the impressed-current accelerated method. Three types of corrosion-induced cracks and the strong constraint effect of stirrups were found. The cracking process was divided into two stages by the appearance of a penetrating crack; the crack length ratio had a leap at the critical time. Accelerated corrosion test results underestimated the cracking damage of natural conditions. Furthermore, the larger load accelerated the formation and propagation of penetrating crack.