Assessment of corrosion damage and effectiveness of strengthening reinforced concrete columns

During service, reinforced concrete structures are exposed to various environmental conditions that can lead to corrosion damage in both the concrete and rebar, resulting in mass loss and degradation of the mechanical properties of these materials. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the behavior of short reinforced concrete columns with varying degrees of corrosion damage to the concrete and rebar, as well as the effects of strengthening these columns using different techniques and repair mate-rials. From the interaction curves between bending moment and axial force, we estimated the effect of corrosion damage intensity on the ultimate load capacity of the columns. Additionally, these interaction curves were utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of three different methods for strengthening columns that experienced specific corrosion damage, including the loss of concrete cover and part of the cross-section of the main reinforcement bars. The results indicated that the load-bearing capacity of the columns after strengthening significantly depends on the chosen strengthening techniques and the mechanical properties of the repair materials, as well as the loading conditions of the column. Therefore, when selecting reinforcement methods, techniques, and repair materials, it is crucial to consider the values of the sectional forces, particularly the relationship between the bending moment and axial force.