Comparison of uniform and non-uniform corrosion induced damage in reinforced concrete based on a Gaussian description of the corrosion layer

• Published in: Corrosion science Vol. 53; no. 9; pp. 2803 - 2814
• Main Authors: Zhao, Yuxi, Karimi, Ali R., Wong, Hong S., Hu, Bingyan, Buenfeld, Nick R., Jin, Weiliang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Steel reinforced concrete; Applied sciences; B. Modeling studies; B. SEM; Backscattering; C. Rust; Corrosion; Corrosion environments; Damage; Exact sciences and technology; Gaussian; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Metals. Metallurgy; Reinforced concrete; Spatial distribution; B. SEM; C. Rust; B. Modeling studies; A. Steel reinforced concrete; Concrete reinforcing bar; Scanning electron microscopy; Rust; Uniform corrosion; Application; Modeling; Corrosion product; Reinforced concrete
• ISSN: 0010-938X; 1879-0496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.05.017

► Damage on concrete from uniform and non-uniform rebar corrosion is compared. ► Reinforced concrete panels exposed to a simulated natural chloride environment. ► Rebar corrosion examined using backscattered electron imaging and image analysis. ► Non-uniform corrosion layer defined by a Gaussian function and used in FE analysis. ► Form of rebar corrosion has a major influence on predicted residual service life.
A Gaussian function is proposed to describe the non-uniform spatial distribution of corrosion products as measured from chloride-exposed reinforced concrete specimens using backscattered electron imaging and image analysis. The model provides a good fit to the observed data and limited data sets reported in the literature. Subsequently, it is used as an input into a finite element analysis to provide a qualitative comparison of the damage induced on concrete from idealized uniform corrosion and more realistic non-uniform corrosion. The spatial distribution of corrosion is shown to have a major impact on the propagation phase, directly influencing residual service life.