Identification of Damage in Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Corrosion

The aim of this paper is the analysis by dynamic identification of reinforced concrete (RC) beams subjected to corrosion of the reinforcement. On the basis of previous experimental research on the bending behavior of RC beams affected by corrosion of the reinforcement, the authors acknowledge that the main effect of corrosion is the decrease of strength in compressive concrete subjected to a biaxial state of stress due both to the bending moment and to pressure of rust in compressive steel. A method to identify damage in RC beams subjected to corrosion is shown. Initially, a damage coefficient is estimated by a dynamic identification procedure and then the effects of corrosion on the stress-strain state in the damaged section of the beam are evaluated. Finally, an experimental application of the proposed method is developed.