Simplified evaluation approach for corrosion of reinforced concrete structures based on numerical simulation

Thickness of concrete protective layer for reinforced steel is always the major consideration of durability in practical engineering application for designers. A simplified approximate estimating approach for corroded life of rebar based on equivalent length of boundary profile was presented. The similarity of arbitrary boundary condition was compared with a standard control case and the corrosion process of rebar within the very layout was calculated according to available experimental data and numerical simulation approach. Weighed damage index (WDI) for rebar was introduced for assessing the damage degree of reinforced concrete section configured with a great deal of rebar. The crossbeam of an arch bridge was selected for case study finally by means of estimating approach and WDI.