Spatial Variability of Rebar Corrosion and Performance Evaluation of Corroded RC Structures Using Probabilistic Analysis and Finite Element Method

Mitsuyoshi Akiyama*, Dan M. Frangopol, Mingyang Zhang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is spatially distributed over RC structures due to several factors such as different environmental exposure, concrete quality and cover. Ignoring the effect of spatial variability is a drastic simplification for the prediction of the remaining service life of RC structures. Therefore, it is essential to identify the parameters influencing the spatial steel corrosion and structural performance of corroded RC structures. In this paper, an experimental research was conducted to study the effects of current density, concrete cover, rebar diameter, and fly ash on the spatial variability of steel weight loss, corrosion crack, and structural behavior of corroded RC beams using X-ray and digital image processing technique. The test results showed that low current density induced highly non-uniform corrosion associated with few large pits and cracks at certain locations while higher current density produced more uniform corrosion and cracks occurred over the whole beam. Gumbel distribution parameters were derived from the experimental data of steel weight loss to model spatial steel corrosion. A novel approach was established to assess the reliability of RC structures using finite element analysis and probabilistic simulation considering the spatial variability in steel weight loss. Using the Gumbel distribution parameters derived from the steel weight loss data associated with higher current density may underestimate the non-uniformity of corrosion distribution which can lead to an overestimation of the load capacity of corroded RC structures.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication18th International Probabilistic Workshop, IPW 2020
EditorsJosé C. Matos, Paulo B. Lourenço, Daniel V. Oliveira, Jorge Branco, Dirk Proske, Rui A. Silva, Hélder S. Sousa
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages733-739
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9783030736156
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event18th International Probabilistic Workshop, IPW 2020 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 2021 May 122021 May 14

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume153 LNCE
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference18th International Probabilistic Workshop, IPW 2020
CityVirtual, Online
Period21/5/1221/5/14

Keywords

  • Corroded RC structures
  • Current density
  • Gumbel distribution
  • Spatial variability of steel corrosion
  • X-ray image

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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