Numerical simulation and experiment on the coupled effects of macro-cell corrosion and multi-ion equilibrium with pseudo structural concrete

Corrosion of reinforcing bars in structural concrete is a critical deterioration issue. Corrosion could attribute to the electro-chemical reactions which are closely related to the electrical field and chemical substances. Generally, two types of corrosion are classified including the micro-cell and macro-cell corrosion depending on whether the anodic and cathodic polarization take place at the same location or not. This paper presented a numerical evaluation of macro-cell corrosion of structural concrete with integrating the electrical field and multiion kinetics in electrolyte. Space-averaged simulation method was adopted which allowed the analytical domain to be structural members, structures or even structure clusters instead of specific concrete-reinforcement interface. Experimental validation was also conducted with pseudo concrete materials to verify the reliability of numerical simulation where satisfied correlation was found.

Automated summary

Corrosion of reinforcing bars in structural concrete, classified as either micro-cell or macro-cell corrosion, was numerically evaluated in this study by incorporating the electrical field and multi-ion kinetics in the electrolyte. The space-averaged simulation method was adopted, and experimental validation with pseudo concrete materials was conducted to verify the reliability of the numerical simulation, showing satisfactory correlation.