Predicting the width of corrosion-induced cracks in reinforced concrete using a damage model based on fracture mechanics

Abstract

Using a finite-element scheme based on a damage model, a numerical system is developed to predict cracks in reinforced concrete beams due to corrosion expansion. The numerical results show that the width of such cracks is affected considerably by (i) the shape of the reinforcing bar, (ii) the presence of stirrups, and (iii) the number of main reinforcement bars. Specimens of reinforced concrete beams are fabricated to simulate those used in the analysis, and we determine how the crack width is related to the amount of the reinforcing bar corrosion through electrolytic corrosion experiments. The experimental results are used to assess the validity of the numerical ones, and the latter are considered to reproduce the former.