Crack and durability of reinforced concrete structures

Author(s): M. Alexander, M. Otieno and H. Beushausen
Paper category: conference
Book title: Microstructural-related Durability of Cementitious Composites
Editor(s): Guang Ye, K. van Breugel, Wei Sun and Changwen Miao
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-129-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-123-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2012
Pages: 88 - 97
Total Pages: 10
Language: English

Abstract: The paper reviews the literature on corrosion and cracking in reinforced concrete structures. It is shown that cracking has a profound influence on corrosion initiation and also on corrosion propagation. Generally, cracking substantially reduces or even eliminates the corrosion initiation phase and strongly influences the propagation phase. It is argued that the corrosion propagation phase should be incorporated in service life models, specifically for cracked concrete. The critical influences of resistivity and concrete cover, which are different for blended cement compared to plain Portland cement systems, are illustrated. Recent experimental results are reviewed which illustrate these effects, and further needed work is outlined.
Keywords: Cracking, crack width, corrosion rate

Online publication: 2012-07-05
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00