INFLUENCE OF FIBRE REINFORCEMENT ON THE INITIATION OF CORROSION-INDUCED CRACKS

Author(s): Carlos G. Berrocal , Ignasi Fernandez, Karin Lundgren, Ingemar Löfgren
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: proceedings of the International RILEM Conference on Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering Conference segment on Service Life of Cement-Based Materials and Structures
Editor(s): Miguel Azenha, Ivan Gabrijel, Dirk Schlicke, Terje Kanstad and Ole Mejlhede Jensen
ISBN:978-2-35158-170-4
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-173-5
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2016
Pages: 248-257
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: The initiation of corrosion-induced cracks, often running parallel to the reinforcement,
becomes a turning point in the service life of a reinforced concrete (RC) structure as they
promote increased corrosion rates, thus accelerating the degradation process of the structure.
Compared to plain concrete, fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) provides additional confinement
to the reinforcement, which has been reported to delay or even prevent the appearance of
mechanically induced splitting cracks. In this study, an experimental programme has been
carried out to investigate the influence of fibres on the onset of corrosion-induced splitting
cracks. Cylindrical lollipop specimens with a centrally positioned Ø16 mm bar and varying
cover depths from 40 to 64 mm were subjected to accelerated corrosion. A constant current of
100 μA/cm2
was impressed through the specimens and the electrical resistance between each
rebar and an external copper mesh acting as cathode was monitored. Crack initiation,
determined from a drop in electrical resistance, and confirmed by visual inspection, revealed
that fibre reinforcement may delay corrosion-induced cracks, an effect that was more
noticeable for reduced c/Ø ratios, featuring up to 50% higher corrosion levels at crack
initiation compared to plain concrete.

Online publication : 2016
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00