Flexural Behavior of RC Beams Under Combined Effects of Acid–Salt Mist and Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

The coupling effects of hydrochloric acid mist, carbon dioxide, and salt mist rich in Cl– and SO4 2– on the degradation of reinforcement concrete (RC) beams were researched with the simulation of colliery ground environment (CGE) and experimental investigation. The results indicated that carbonation of concrete and corrosion of rebar increased slowly as the maximum width of crack became <0.5 mm. Meanwhile, the flexural carrying capacity of the deteriorated beam decreased slightly, while the concrete strength got a small increase first and a large decrease of more than 20% quickly. As the width of crack exceeded 0.5 mm, each target changed rapidly except the carbonation depth. Because of the interaction of deteriorated concrete and corroded rebar, the crack width, and flexural behavior of the beams have discrete correlation with the corrosion of rebar. The failure mode of beams changed from the crushing of compression concrete to the yielding of rebar.