Shear performance of reinforced concrete beams with corroded stirrups in chloride environment

Experiments were conducted for the investigation of the influence of reinforcing steel corrosion on the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams. The shear performance of RC beams with different corrosion levels in both longitudinal reinforcing steel bars and stirrups was examined. Relationships of corrosion-induced crack widths in concrete cover with the corrosion level of the reinforcing steel bars were obtained. Engineering approaches were developed to predict the residual shear strength of the corroded beams.

Research highlights► Simulation of the rebar corrosion in concrete in chloride aggressive environment. ► The maximum corrosion-induced crack width increases with the average width. ► The corrosion-induced crack width has a relationship with the corrosion level. ► Shear capacity evaluation of the beam using the corrosion-induced crack width.