Evaluation Method of Tensile Behavior of Corroded Reinforcing Bars Considering Radius Loss

The tensile behavior of plain round reinforcing bars corroded with various radius losses along their length is investigated experimentally and analytically. In the experiments, various corrosion topographies are simulated through accelerated electric corrosion tests using bare rebar specimens and different cathode arrangements. The tensile performance of the corroded specimens is then studied using a digital image processing method, showing that tensile degradation resulting from corrosion is closely related to radius loss variability. For the analysis, a numerical model based on the rigid body spring method incorporated with a truss network is proposed for the evaluation of tensile behavior in consideration of radius loss. Good agreement with the test data is obtained with the proposed model, which offers an accurate method of estimating the residual tensile capacity of corroded rebars.