Stochastic field model for the residual radius along the length of naturally and artificially corroded rebars

Abstract

This paper examines the random variation of the residual radius along the length of both naturally corroded and artificially corroded rebars. The rebars are washed to remove rust, and their residual area is measured by the water volume method for every 20-mm long segment of each rebar. Tests are carried out to determine the stationarity or non-stationarity of the stochastic field used to model the residual radius of the specimens. Then, the autocorrelation function, power spectrum and marginal probability distribution function of each specimen are estimated. It is found that the residual radius field of both naturally and artificially corroded rebars with mean corrosion levels below 20% is stationary, while the situation can change as the mean corrosion level increases and concrete cover spalling occurs. The residual radius field along the rebar length of stationary specimens is found to be white noise for both naturally and artificially corroded rebars. The marginal probability distribution function of the residual radius is determined to be skewed and can be fitted with a Beta distribution for naturally corroded rebars and with a Weibull distribution for artificially corroded rebars. This is the first paper studying and comparing both naturally and artificially corroded rebars.