Investigation of Corrosion-Induced Strains at Concrete-Rust Interface in Reinforced Concrete: A Finite Element Analysis-based Approach

Abstract

The reinforced concrete thrust frames are subjected to extreme temperatures during testing of jet propulsion. The concrete-steel interface bond in reinforced concrete can be enfeebled due to the occurrence of corrosion-induced strains at the concrete-steel interface. Numerical simulations employing the finite element analysis approach can provide cost-effective and near-ideal results for comprehending the complex mechanics of corrosion-induced strains. In this work, the simulation of concrete-rust interface using the finite element analysis tool, ABAQUS 6.14 is performed. The analysis carried out by correlating the mesh size, type of mesh, and the order of solution. It was found that the quadrilateral sectional meshing, when solved with quadratic solutions provides higher accuracy. In addition, the variation in the magnitude of the principal strain due to varying rust thickness, and their location were investigated. It shows that the rust near the cover region (location of the rust) for different thicknesses gives rise to high strain values. This work can help in enhancing the design of reinforced concrete structures, thereby increasing their resilience and capacity to function effectively in corrosive environments.