Bending characteristics of corroded reinforced concrete beam under repeated loading

Bending behaviors of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) beams under repeated loading were investigated experimentally. A total of twenty test specimens, including four non-corrosion and sixteen corrosion reinforced concrete beams, were prepared and tested. A numerical model for flexural and cracking behaviors of the beam under repeated loading was also developed. Effects of steel corrosion on reinforced concrete beams regarding cracking, mid-span deflection, stiffness and bearing capacity of corroded beams were studied. The impact of corrosion on bond strength as the key factor was investigated to develop the computational model of flexural capacity. It was shown from the experimental results that the bond strength between reinforcement and concrete had increased for specimen of low corrosion levels, while this effect was changed when the corrosion level was higher. It was indicated that the bearing capacity of corrosion beam increased even at a corrosion level of about 5%.