Multiscale Numerical Simulations of Static Shear and Long-Term Behavior of RC Members Considering Corrosion of Reinforcing Bars

Abstract

In this study, a finite element (FE) analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of corrosion in tensile reinforcement on the shear performance of reinforced concrete (RC) members. In this regard, a multiscale chemo-hygral computational system is adopted, and its rationality is verified by comparing the FE analysis results with the shear test results of corroded RC beams. Based on the verified FE model, a parametric analysis is performed to examine the static shear and long-term behaviors of RC members according to the corrosion damage. The analysis results show that when the tensile reinforcement is simply straight anchored in the member, the ratio of reduction in shear strength due to corrosion decreases with the shear span-to-depth ratio. Meanwhile, when the tensile reinforcement is fully anchored, the shear strength of the corroded member increases owing to the formation of arch action despite the occurrence of splitting cracks caused by corrosion, and this tendency is more prominent as the shear span-to-depth ratio decreases. In terms of the long-term behavior of corroded RC members, it is shown that as corrosion progresses gradually over time, failure occurs with a rapid increase in deflection, including at low sustained load levels.