Influence of reinforcement corrosion - in the compressive zone - on the behaviour of RC beams

In this paper. the influence of damage due to corrosion of reinforcement in the compressive zone of RC beams is analysed. In the damaged RC beams, the corrosion of reinforcement, as a consequence of an electrochemical process, produces an increase of diameter of bars due to rust products that gives rise to a microcracking of the concrete around the bars. In the compressive zone, the microcracking of concrete creates a loss of strength of concrete. A theoretical model to analyse the influence of reinforcement corrosion in the compressive zone of RC beams is described considering a modified law for concrete. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental data obtained from bending tests on undamaged and damaged RC beam models. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.