Theoretical analysis of reinforcement tunnel lining corrosion

Abstract

The main cause of ageing damage in reinforced concrete structures is reinforcement corrosion. Damage can be detected visually as coincident cracks along the reinforcement bar, which are significant of both reduction of the re-bar, cross-section and loss of bond strength for reinforced concrete. The reinforced concrete is one of the most widely used engineering materials as final lining of tunnels. The corrosion is common durability problems that have significant effect on the tunnel performance. This study intends to analysis reinforcement concrete corrosion at the tunnel lining by applying temperature expansion theory on steel through numerical simulation process, with expansive force effect. The thickness of concrete cover and the diameter of steel bar have an impact on the stress for reinforcement concrete during propagation of corrosion process. The corrosion cracks appear at the corner of a tunnel lining then in invert and vault because the maximum stress will be in the corner then in invert and vault. The internal force in the concrete lining changes differently when the corrosion rate change. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2013.