Effect of bandwidth reinforcement corrosion on the response of two way slabs

Abstract

Abstract The present work was conducted to investigate the influence of different levels of mass loss, due to corrosion of reinforcement, on the structural behaviour of two-way reinforced concrete slabs. Four full-size two-way reinforced concrete slabs were cast for this investigation. Four levels of corrosion were reached: 0% of mass loss, control; 15% mass loss, mild corrosion level; 25% mass loss, moderate corrosion level; and 50% mass loss, severe corrosion level. These levels were achieved using an accelerated corrosion technique. The targeted corroded area was chosen to be around the column bandwidth as defined in CSA A23.3-14. The performance of the slabs was evaluated in terms of cracking behaviour, deflection profiles, slab rotation, energy absorption, ductility, and load carrying capacity. In general, an increase in the corrosion level had a negative impact on the load capacity and stiffness. On the other hand, energy absorption, deflection, and ductility seem to increase with the increase in mass loss. The capacity of each slab is compared with the design values using four codes. By reducing the reinforcement ratio with an amount equivalent to the mass loss, it could conclude that both BS 8110-97 and EC2 can still reasonably predict the actual capacity of the corroded slabs.