Finite Element Analysis of Corrosion-Innduced Cracking, Spalling and Delamination of RC Bridge Decks

The corrosion of reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks due to the application of de-icing salts in winter has been recognized as one of the major causes of highway bridge deterioration in North America. Corrosion-induced damage is usually manifested by longitudinal cracking, spalling, and/or delamination of the concrete cover due to the expansion of corrosion products accumulating around the reinforcement. This damage leads to reduction or loss of serviceability, safety, and service life of RC bridge decks. This paper presents finite element analyses of the behaviour of the concrete bridge deck cover subjected to reinforcing steel corrosion. The prediction of the damage caused by corroding reinforcing bars is established by calculating the induced stresses in the surrounding concrete. The numerical model is used to conduct a parametric investigation of several design variables. It is found from the analyses that different failure mechanisms govern depending on the geometry and configuration of the reinforcing bars in the concrete cover of the bridge deck. Finally, the impact of concrete overlays on the governing failure modes of cracking, spalling and/or delamination of the concrete cover is investigated by using the model.

• Record URL:
  http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/nrcc48147/
• Corporate Authors:

  National Research Council of Canada

  1200 Montreal Road
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada  K1A 0R6
• Authors:
  • Zhou, K
  • MARTIN-PEREZ, B
  • Lounis, Z
• Conference:
  • First Canadian Conference on Effective Design of Structures, Hamilton, ON 2005, pp. 187-196
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Corrosion; Cracking; Deicing chemicals; Reinforced concrete; Spalling
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; I32: Concrete; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01046990
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: TAC
• Created Date: Mar 26 2007 10:57AM