The effect of corrosion on shear behavior of reinforced self-consolidating concrete beams

• This study was to evaluate the effect of corrosion on shear behavior of SCC beams.
• Four levels of corrosion were established at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of mass loss of the reinforcing bars.
• Experimental results showed a high correlation between calculated mass loss and real mass loss in reinforcing bars.
• It appears that the usage of NC and SCC does not significantly influence failure mode.
• Different corrosion stages have a higher influence on the failure mode and structural capacity of beams.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of corrosion on shear behavior of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) beams. Reinforced normal concrete (R-NC) specimens that have equal compressive strength to the SCC specimens were also used for control purposes. Twenty reinforced concrete beams with dimensions of 150 mm × 220 mm × 1400 mm (10 SCC and 10 NC) were manufactured for the study. Using accelerated corrosion through the application of a constant current of one ampere, four levels of corrosion were established at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of mass loss of the reinforcing bars. In order to ensure the highest probability of shear failure mode, a ratio of a/d = 2.5 was set, with “a” being the distance from the concentrated load to the reaction and “d” being the distance from the center of the tensile flexural rebar to the top of the reinforced concrete beam. Experimental results showed a high correlation between calculated mass loss (according to Faraday’s law) and real mass loss in reinforcing bars due to accelerated corrosion. It appears that the usage of NC and SCC does not significantly influence failure mode, although different corrosion stages have a higher influence on the failure mode and structural capacity of beams, regardless of concrete type. Therefore, the apparent changes in failure mode are associated with increased corrosion levels.