Influence of Corrosion on Flexural Strength of Concrete

Abstract

The large-scale infrastructure uses reinforcement concrete. It has been believed that protection to steel reinforcement by concrete is permanent. The influence of atmospheric corrosion of steel and its performance in concrete has been subject to controversy in the construction industry. Service life of reinforced concrete structure can be significantly reduced when the corrosion of reinforcing steel is initiated; the product of corrosion expands and occupies greater volume than original volume of steel, and eventually causes cracking of concrete. Corrosion of steel embedded in concrete structures becomes a major technological challenge because of its serious implications, including cracking and spalling of concrete cover, decrease in reinforcement cross section, and bonding loss between the concrete and reinforcement. Deterioration of reinforced concrete structure due to corrosion of reinforcing steel is a concern worldwide affecting the durability and service life of structure. In this work, we present the structural effects of deterioration of steel with special attention to the flexural strength of beam. In addition to the flexural strength, effect of different degrees of reinforcement corrosion, deformational behavior and mode of failure were studied. The laboratory experimental work was carried out to know the influence of corrosion and cracking on flexural strength. An electrochemical system is used to achieve the different corrosion levels. The testing of RC beam subjected to corrosive environment is carried out to assess the residual strength. The outcome is effect of degree of corrosion on residual strength of RC beam. The other parameters are varied like rate of corrosion, and development of relationship between degree of corrosion and capacity of beam.