Prediction of Corrosion-Induced Crack Width of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Structures

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the crack width induced by the corrosion of reinforcing steel bars in concrete. Reinforcing steel bars with different diameters were corroded using an accelerated test in three types of concrete members, including 24 beams with corroded stirrup and 20 beams with corroded longitudinal reinforcing steel bars. The corrosion patterns and rusts characteristics of the corroded steel bars were examined and compared with those observed in real RC structures. According to the experimental result, the corrosioninduced crack width were analyzed and showed a linear relationship with the corrosion loss of reinforcing steel bar. Finally, an analytical prediction model of crack width was established after considering concrete cover depth and corrosion penetration depth.