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Effect of Corrosion on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Concrete

Bajaj, Srikanth
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353961865

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science in Engineering, University of Akron, Civil Engineering.
Corrosion of reinforced concrete (RC) is a major factor contributing to deterioration of structures, and billions of dollars are spent every year on the repairs of structures due to corrosion of reinforcement. While the main causes of reinforcement corrosion are carbonation and chloride attack, the deterioration of the reinforced concrete does not occur due to direct effects of these corrosive agents. Rather, the deterioration results from the pressure exerted on the concrete by the expansive corrosion products, creating stress in the concrete cover that result in surface cracking. The surface cracks allow an easy passage for the corrosive agent to reach the reinforcement, further accelerating the corrosion process. The bond between reinforcement and concrete is very important, as it enables the reinforced concrete member to carry compressive and tensile loads. However, corrosion weakens this bond and thus results in a weakening of the RC member. In the present study, the amount of reduction in the bond strength due to corrosion, the thickness of corrosion products for different levels of corrosion, and the width of cracks at steel-concrete interface and concrete surface were studied. The main objective of the research is to identify the effects of corrosion on mechanical properties (bond strength) of reinforced concrete members. Pullout tests were used for the determination of bond strength between reinforcement and concrete. A study iv was also conducted on the use of polypropylene fibers or basalt fibers as additives in the concrete mix, as an attempt to improve the performance of reinforced concrete members. It was found that uniform corrosion occurs only until the surface of the concrete cracks; thereafter, the corrosion is non-uniform. Also, the bond strength of reinforced concrete member increases with the increase in corrosion level up to critical percentage; above this percentage, the bond strength decreases with any further increase in corrosion level. This critical percentage was found to be 2%, 3.5%, and 4.5% for normal concrete, polypropylene fiber induced concrete, and basalt fiber induced concrete, respectively. This result demonstrates that the addition of fibers in concrete helps in improving the bond between reinforcement and concrete. Moreover, concrete cover was found to play an important role in protecting reinforcing steel against corrosion. The width of cracks in the cover was shown to increase with an increase in corrosion level, and thicker concrete cover results in reducing cracks for given corrosion level.
Anil Patnaik, Dr. (Advisor)
Joe Payer, Dr. (Committee Member)
Kallol Sett, Dr. (Committee Member)
William Schneider, Dr. (Committee Member)
187 p.
Civil Engineering
reinforcement corrosion; bond strength; concrete cover crack

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bajaj, S. (2012). Effect of Corrosion on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Concrete [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353961865

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bajaj, Srikanth. Effect of Corrosion on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Concrete. 2012. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353961865.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bajaj, Srikanth. "Effect of Corrosion on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Concrete." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353961865

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.