Analytical and numerical approaches to modelling of reinforcement corrosion in concrete

Abstract

Corrosion of reinforcement in concrete is one of the most influencing factors causing the degradation of RC structures. This paper attempts at the application of an analytical and numerical approaches to simulation of concrete cracking due to reinforcement corrosion. At first, a combination with detailed analysis of two analytical models proposed by Liu and Weyers (1998) and Li et al. (2006) is suggested and presented. Four distinct phases of the corrosion process are identified and a detailed guide through the mathematical development is described. Next, numerical computations obtained with nonlinear finite element code are presented. The model features the state-of-the-art in nonlinear fracture mechanics modelling and the heterogeneous structure of concrete is modelled via spatially varying parameters of the constitutive law. Finally, the results of the analytical studies are compared to numerical computations and the paper concludes with the sketch of a real-life numerical example