Shear behaviour of RC beams with corrosion damaged partial length

Abstract

Experimental study on shear behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with corrosion damaged partial length in one shear span is presented. In order to discover how mechanical behaviour and load capacity of the RC beam were influenced by the corrosion damaged partial length, 14 RC beams including two noncorroded RC beams, four RC beams with partially unbonded length and eight RC beams with partially corroded length were designed. The different shear span-to-effective depth ratios, the different designed partial lengths located in one shear span and the different corrosion levels within the designed partial lengths were the main considered parameters. Test results are presented in detail. Due to the different bond conditions as well as different damage status in the longitudinal bars and the contacted stirrups, the structural performance, ductility, load capacity of the test specimens with partially unbonded and corroded length are quite different. Due to the severe pitting corrosion of the longitudinal bars and rupture of the contacted stirrups within partial length of one shear span, reduced load capacity, stiffness and ductility are shown in beam with higher corrosion level within longer partial length.