Modeling processes related to corrosion of steel reinforcement and damage in concrete

Aggressive environmental conditions, such as exposure to the sea climate or use of deicing salts, have considerable influence on durability of reinforced concrete structures due to reinforcement corrosion-induced damage. In the present paper, a recently developed coupled three-dimensional chemo-hygro-thermo-mechanical model for concrete is briefly discussed. The model was implemented into a 3D FE code and its application is illustrated through a numerical example of a beam-end specimen exposed to aggressive corrosion conditions. Damage of concrete cover due to expansion of corrosion products and transport of rust through concrete pores and cracks are predicted. Subsequently, the influence of corrosion induced damage of concrete cover on bond resistance of deformed steel reinforcement is studied. The comparison between numerical results and experimental evidence shows that the complex coupled mathematical model is able to realistically predict phenomena related to corrosion of steel reinforcement and their consequences on the corrosion induce damage of concrete.