Structural Performance of Degraded (Corroded) Reinforced Members – An Analytical Study

Any reinforced concrete structures should serve its function over the intended service life span satisfactorily. But depending upon the exposure conditions, the premature failure may takes place in the structures and it may affect its service life span too. The premature failure of the RCC structures occurs due to corrosion of the reinforcement, spalling/cracking of the reinforced concrete, improper design, improper construction, chemical ingress, etc. The corrosion of the reinforcement is the major factor behind the premature failure. This paper describes the effect of age-related deterioration (corrosion) and spalling/cracking on the structural performance of the reinforced concrete members in probabilistic terms. The effects of degradation on the probability of failure are computed to determine serviceability at various stages of degradation in reinforced concrete members. Also the paper describes and evaluates the effects which are responsible for the degradation in reinforced concrete members.