Modeling the Time-to-Corrosion Cracking of Reinforced Concrete Structures by Finite Element

Abstract

A new mathematical model to predict the time to the initiation of corrosion-induced cracking of reinforced concrete structures was developed. To determine the corrosion penetration in reinforcement steel, a three-dimensional finite element model was developed. Modeling was based on geometric parameters such as the free concrete covering, reinforcement bar diameter, type of concrete, and the corroded length. Using finite element and statistical analyses, mathematical expressions were calculated to obtain time-to-corrosion cracking. Calculated cracking times were compared to published experimental data. The parametric sensitivity of the model is established with reference to published experimental evidence, and the role of the important design variables in the evolution of this mechanical problem is identified and discussed.