Evaluation of compressive strength of concrete in corroded reinforced concrete beams by experiment

Abstract

The article studies the decrease in compressive strength of concrete  in corroded reinforced concrete beams by experiment. Reinforced concrete beams are accelerated corrosion of reinforcement in the laboratory with 3% NaCl solution and 900µA/cm2 current. The beams were corroded with three degrees of corrosion acceleration time of one month, two months, and three months, respectively. At the end of the corrosion process, the reinforcement in the beams was corroded 11.3%, 14.35%, and 24.78%, respectively, for one month, two months, and three months. As a result, the compressive strength of concrete in the beams is also reduced by 22.4%, 31.2%, and 33.6%, respectively. Thereby, the acceleration of corrosion of reinforcement in beams by electrolysis has significantly affected the compressive strength of concrete. This reduction of concrete strength leads to a decrease in the stiffness of the reinforced concrete beam and the flexural capacity of the beam under load.

Keywords: Concrete; corrosion; strengthening of concrete; concrete reinforcement