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Factors controlling cracking of concrete affected by reinforcement corrosion

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Abstract

The present paper tries to contribute to quantifying the relationship between the amount of corrosion and cover cracking. The variables studied were: cover/diameter (c/ø), proportions of cement, w/c, cast position of the bar, transverse reinforcement and corrosion rate. The corrosion is accelerated by applying constant currents causing the rebar to act as an anode. The results indicate that the cracking process develops in two steps: generation and propagation. Radius losses of about 15–50 μm are necessary to generate the first visible crack (<0.1 mm width). The propagation follows a behaviour of the type: w (crack width in mm)=a+bx (radius loss in μm).

Résumé

Ce travail tente de quantifier la relation entre le degré de corrosion et la fissuration du recouvrement de l'armature. Les variables étudiées ont été: recouvrement/diamètre (c/ø), dosage du ciment, eau/ciment, position de l'armature, armature transversale, et degré de corrosion. La corrosion est accélérée par l'application des courants constants qui font agir l'armature comme une anode. Les résultats indiquent que le processus de fissuration se développe en deux temps: génération et propagation. Une réduction du rayon de l'armature d'environ 15–50 μm est nécessaire pour produire la première fissure visible (ouverture <0.1 mm). À la propagation, le comportement suit l'expression: w (largeur de la fissure en mm) =a+bx (réduction du rayon en μm).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute Eduardo Torroja (CSIC), Apartado 19002, 28080, Madrid, Spain

    C. Alonso & C. Andrade

  2. Geocisa, Los Llanos de Jerez 10, 28820, Coslada, Madrid, Spain

    J. Rodriguez & J. M. Diez

Authors
  1. C. Alonso
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  2. C. Andrade
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  3. J. Rodriguez
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  4. J. M. Diez
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Additional information

Editorial Note Dr. M.-C. Alonso and Dr. C. Andrade work at the Instituto de Ciencias de la Construccion “Eduardo Torroja”, Spain, a RILEM Titular Member. Dr. Alonso is a Senior Member of RILEM and a member of TC 154-EMC. Dr. Andrade is Vice President of RILEM and a member of the Bureau. A RILEM Senior Member and a RILEM Fellow, Dr. Andrade is Chairlady of TC 154-EMC (Electrochemical Techniques for Measuring Metallic Corrosion in Concrete) and TMC (Testing and Modelling Chloride Penetration in Concrete) and participates in the work of TC 116-PCD (Permeability of Concrete as a Criterion of its Durability). J. Rodriguez and J. M. Diez work at Geocisa, Spain a RILEM Titular Member.

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Alonso, C., Andrade, C., Rodriguez, J. et al. Factors controlling cracking of concrete affected by reinforcement corrosion. Mat. Struct. 31, 435–441 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480466

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