Structural effects of simultaneous loading and reinforcement corrosion on performance of concrete beams

Abstract The paper presents an experimental investigation into the structural performance of concrete beams under simultaneous loading and reinforcement corrosion. Four out of five concrete beams were subjected to an accelerated corrosion of their tensile bars, while they sustained a constant point load and their self-weight, until they failed in their load-bearing capacity. On the basis of the experimental results, it has been found that, under the same service loads, the time-dependant deflection of a corroded beam increases more rapidly than that of a non-corroded beam, and is likely to reach the limiting deflection for its serviceability requirements prematurely. Under simultaneous loading and reinforcement corrosion, both ultimate strength and maximum deflection of a concrete beam decrease more than those of the beams tested under a separate loading and corrosion condition. Either a further development of corrosion or an occasional over-loading or both are likely to cause a corroded beam under service loads to fail and even collapse suddenly without significant warning in term of its deflection. Hence, attention should be paid to the inspection and maintenance of corroded structures that are being used in our society to avoid any loss of life and property.