Evaluation of the bond properties between concrete and reinforcement as a function of the degree of reinforcement corrosion

Abstract In order to investigate the effect of reinforcement corrosion on the bond properties between concrete and reinforcement, the pullout tests were conducted using reinforcements embedded in concrete specimens, which were corroded by an accelerated electric corrosion method. A finite element method (FEM) analysis was also carried out on the basis of the results of the pullout tests. The maximum bond strength ( τ max ) and the bond rigidity ( D s ) of specimens decreased in proportion to the increase of corrosion percentage (Δ w ), respectively. Also, the curves of bond stress–free end slip could be analyzed by the FEM, if the τ max and D s were determined as a function of corrosion percentage. The equations for calculating the maximum bond strength and the bond rigidity necessary for an FEM analysis of RC members with corroded reinforcements were obtained by the experiments and the FEM analysis of the pullout tests.