The corrosion of the reinforcement usually results in cracking and spalling of the concrete cover. Both types of damage define important limit states of durability and structural stability of reinforced concrete structures. The mechanism of fracture and the magnitude of…
The corrosion of the reinforcement usually results in cracking and spalling of the concrete cover. Both types of damage define important limit states of durability and structural stability of reinforced concrete structures. The mechanism of fracture and the magnitude of stresses causing cracking and spalling of the concrete are still unknown and can only be simulated incompletely so far. Thus, a realistic and quantita- tive description as well as a reliable prediction of the time development of the damage process due to rein- forcement corrosion is not possible. Therefore, the aim of the presented work is the development of a com- prehensive analytical prediction model, which describes the time dependent damage process of cracking and spalling under realistic conditions. Since the accuracy of such an analytical model depends primarily on the quality of the implemented constitutive models, a main target of the work is to determine the mechanical properties of the corrosion products by applying novel experiments and inverse analyses. By means of nu- merical investigations applying fracture mechanical concepts and being supplemented with experimental re- sults, first a numerical model of the cracking and damage process was developed. This modelling approach, involving sophisticated material laws, allows for the detailed analysis of the stresses, strains and the crack formation within the concrete cover as well as for a realistic prediction of the time development of cover cracking caused by the corrosion of the reinforcement. Based on parameter studies of several specimens, which are subjected to different corrosive conditions, the comprehensive analytical prediction model for the time dependent damage process can be derived. This model will enable the prediction of damage development under conditions of practical relevance and serves as a part of a full probabilistic design approach for durabil- ity of reinforced concrete structures.