Effects of Internal Cracking and Drying Shrinkage on the Corrosion Processes of RC Beam Specimens

• Published in: CONCREEP 10 pp. 477 - 486
• Main Authors: Ujike, I, Kawaai, K, Nakai, I
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0784479348; 9780784479346
• DOI: 10.1061/9780784479346.057

Internal cracking tend to arise from the edge of knots present in deformed bars embedded in tension zone of reinforced concrete structure when loaded up to 100 N/mm2. This could be further exacerbated by drying shrinkage depending on types of aggregate used in concrete mixtures under dry environment. The objective of this study was to examine the durability performance of internally cracked RC beam specimens cast using aggregate including crushed limestone and sandstone with different absorption capacity obtained in regional resources. Based on accelerated chloride-induced corrosion tests carried out via a cycle of 3-day wet and 11-day dry until the age of 1 year, although corrosion tended to occur severely in the cracked parts with higher chloride content depending on the drying shrinkage of concrete specimens, the results showed that internal cracking could trigger localized corrosion initiated especially at the knots of deformed steel bar.