Experimental Study on Bearing Capacity of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Arch Considering Material Degradation

Abstract

To study the bearing capacity of a corroded reinforced concrete (RC) arch and analyze the deterioration mechanism of an in-service RC arch bridge, a deterioration simulation under the coupling effect of the environment and load was performed by employing non-immersion energization, and considering the dead load on the arch, single point loading tests of the arch models were carried out; the crack development, structural deformation, and ultimate bearing capacity of a corroded RC arch under service stress were studied; the failure mode of the corroded arch was explored; and a bearing capacity prediction model considering dual deterioration effects of reinforcement corrosion deterioration and arch axis deterioration was established. Results indicated that the spacing of cracks caused by a load on the non-corroded arch was more uniform, and the number and distribution range of load-induced cracks in the corroded arch was smaller, while the maximum crack width was larger. Corrosion significantly reduced the strength of the arch rib; for the deteriorated arch with a corrosion rate of 7.62%, the cracking load and the bearing capacity decreased by 28.57 and 9.84%, respectively. Corrosion weakened structural stiffness, while it does not convert the failure mode of the arch. Only considering section resistance degradation may underestimate the damaging effects of corrosion on the arch structure.