Load carrying capacity of RC beams with locally corroded shear reinforcement

Abstract

Much research has been carried out on the effect of corrosion of longitudinal reinforcement on structural performance of reinforced concrete beams. However, transverse reinforcement (stirrups) has not been given much consideration, and there is not much literature available on the effects of corrosion of stirrups. In this study, detailed research has been conducted to observe the behavior of reinforced concrete beams with corroded stirrups only. Seven beams of 1,800-mm length, 100-mm width, and 150-mm height
were prepared, and corrosion of stirrups was accelerated by applying direct current. The stirrups were corroded in the shear span, the middle span, or the full span at two levels, i.e., mild and severe corrosion. After the target corrosion level was achieved, corrosion cracks were marked and measured, and then a four-point load was applied to investigate the flexural behavior of the beams. After the test, the distribution and width of flexural cracks were also measured and marked. Finally, the stirrups were taken out to quantify the weight loss. Reduction in flexural capacity was observed in all the beams, but the maximum deflection varied for each beam. The failure mode did not change, and all the beams failed in flexure, both before and after corrosion.