Corrosion of bare and embedded in concrete steel bar - impact on mechanical behavior

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of corrosion on bare and embedded in concrete steel bars and additionally to study the impact on their mechanical behavior. Design/methodology/approach - The mechanical properties on bare and embedded specimens of dual phase steel bar B500c were measured after tensile tests, before and after corrosion. Findings - The results show superficial severe localized pitting corrosion of embedded specimens in contrast to bare specimens. Also recorded a significant influence of corrosion on the mechanical behavior of the embedded steel specimens in contrast to the corresponding bare specimens. The mechanical behavior of dual phase steel bar B500c, due to chloride induced corrosion, seems to be significantly influenced by the existence of local interactions and the intense of external pit depths of different inclusions (MnS and the FeS, etc.) close to the outer surface. Social implications - The corrosion of concrete reinforcing steel, is the most common reason of "premature" degradation of structures in environments with chlorides. This creates justified concern in societies which exist in areas with particularly high seismicity such as the wider Mediterranean region. A large part of the structures in these countries are exposed to marine exposure conditions. Originality/value - The originality in this paper is the research on bare and embedded specimens and the comparison between them and additionally are presented SEM and EDX analysis with interesting findings.