Non-uniform distribution of a corrosion layer at a steel/concrete interface described by a Gaussian model

Abstract Corrosion layers at the steel/concrete interfaces of two reinforced concrete specimens subjected to chloride ion ingress were observed and measured by SEM. A Gaussian function was used to model the distribution of the non-uniform corrosion. The physical meaning of the parameters in the Gaussian model is confirmed mathematically and the relationships among these parameters are discussed. The locations of the corrosion peaks along the rebar perimeter are also discussed. When the number of cracks at the steel/concrete interface becomes two or more, the corrosion layer has the same quantity of corrosion peaks. A multi-peak Gaussian model is proposed to describe this multiple corrosion peak situation.