Lattice modelling of corrosion induced cracking and bond in reinforced concrete

TL;DR

This paper presents a lattice-based numerical model to simulate corrosion-induced cracking and bond behavior in reinforced concrete, validated against experimental data and analyzing the effects of concrete properties.

Contribution

It introduces a novel lattice approach with a cap-plasticity interface model to accurately capture corrosion effects on concrete-reinforcement interaction.

Findings

The model successfully replicates experimental pull-out tests.

Corrosion significantly reduces bond strength.

Concrete properties influence cracking and bond behavior.

Abstract

A lattice approach is used to describe the mechanical interaction of a corroding reinforcement bar, the surrounding concrete and the interface between steel reinforcement and concrete. The cross-section of the ribbed reinforcement bar is taken to be circular, assuming that the interaction of the ribs of the deformed reinforcement bar and the surrounding concrete can be captured by a cap-plasticity interface model. The expansive corrosion process is represented by an Eigenstrain in the lattice elements forming the interface between concrete and reinforcement. Several pull-out tests with varying degree of corrosion are analysed. The numerical results are compared with experiments reported in the literature. The influence of the properties of concrete are studied. The proposed lattice approach offers insight into corrosion induced cracking and its influence on bond strength.