The influence of cracks on chloride-induced corrosion of steel in ordinary Portland cement and high performance concretes subjected to different loading conditions

Abstract

Many reinforced concrete structures are subjected to variable loads, but little information is available on the effect of such loading, and the accompanying opening and closing of cracks, on the initiation and propagation of chloride-induced rebar corrosion. The purpose of this paper is to provide that information for reinforced ordinary Portland cement concrete and high performance concrete exposed to static or cyclic three-point bending and exposed to salt solution. It was observed that: (i) corrosion occurred only at intersections of the rebar with cracks in the concrete; (ii) high performance concrete was more protective than ordinary Portland cement concrete and (iii) the type of loading had less impact on corrosion than the type of concrete and exposure conditions.