Three-dimensional corrosion pit measurement and statistical mechanical degradation analysis of deformed steel bars subjected to accelerated corrosion

• The cross-sectional area of corroded steel bars follows a mixed normal distribution.
• Both yield and ultimate loads decrease linearly with an increase of corrosion loss.
• Corrosion does not change the mechanical properties of steel bars significantly.
• Elongation and ductility decrease exponentially with an increase of corrosion loss.
• Corrosion changes the fracture mode from mixed ductile/brittle to brittle.

This study experimentally investigated the effect of corrosion non-uniformity on the mechanical property degradation of deformed steel bars. Both the average and critical cross-sectional areas were determined using a 3D laser scanner. Tensile test results and statistical analysis showed that both the yield and ultimate loads linearly decreased with an increase of corrosion loss while the elongation and ductility decreased exponentially. Corrosion did not affect the yield and ultimate strength based on the critical cross-sectional area. Mixed brittle and ductile fracture occurred in uncorroded steel bars while brittle fracture initiated at corrosion pits and propagated outwards in corroded steel bars.