Prediction of the residual load-bearing capacity of naturally corroded beams using the variability of tension behaviour of corroded steel bars

This paper shows the residual behaviour of a highly corroded beam stored under sustained load in a chloride environment for 28 years. A non-corroded beam of the same age was also kept under sustained loading but in a non-aggressive environment as a control beam. Both beams were subjected to a three-point bending experiment until failure. The lower tensile reinforcement was extracted so that the tension properties of the corroded bars could be investigated. The yield strength, ultimate strength and ultimate strain of the corroded bars followed a normal distribution. Both the average value and the characteristic value of the yield strength, ultimate strength and ultimate strain were used to predict the residual mechanical performance of the beams. The changes in yield capacity and ultimate capacity of the corroded beam in comparison with the non-corroded beam are discussed in relation to the damage to the steel reinforcing bars. According to the variability of the residual behaviour of steel bars in tension experiment, it is possible to predict the variability in the load-bearing capacity of the corroded beams which fail due to the rupture of the tension bars.