Modeling the influence of pitting corrosion on the mechanical properties of steel reinforcement

This paper presents a time-dependent pit depth model for localized corrosion. The effects of corrosion pits of varying dimensions on the mechanical properties and tensile behavior of reinforcing bars are studied via experimental tests and analytical modeling, respectively. Hemispherical indentation is mechanically produced on the reinforcing steel to simulate pitting corrosion. Static tensile tests are conducted for 9 non-corroded and 54 pitting corrosion-simulated bars with varying levels of pit sizes using two different test setups. This investigation has resulted in clear quantification of the relationship between the degree of corrosion and the mechanical properties of steel reinforcement.