Simulation of chloride diffusion and structural performance evaluation of sound and corroded RCC beams

초록

This study describes the structural behavior of RC beams when subjected to different levels of corrosion by developing a finite element model, subsequently validating it with the help of experimental results. The analysis was run using ABAQUS to represent both the mechanical response as well as chloride diffusion within the beam. Validation data were adopted from earlier literature. The sound beam model has been validated first by comparing its load-deflection response against one derived from experiments with less than 5% deviation in ultimate load and very close agreement. The validated model was then used to simulate 10% and 20% corrosion levels, derived from the experimental corrosion equations, to assess the degradation in structural capacity. The result showed that the corrosion led to a clear deterioration of structural behavior, ultimate load decreased by approximately 17% for 10% and 33% for 20% corrosion, while peak bond stress from 7.2 MPa (sound beam) to 5.0 MPa and 2.5 MPa, respectively. A long term chloride diffusion analysis was performed to estimate the corrosion initiation, revealing that after 100 years of exposure the chloride ion reached the reinforcement depth, indicating a high probability of corrosion. The combined mechanical and diffusion analysis result demonstrate that corrosion significantly reduced stiffness, load carrying capacity, and bond resistance. Overall, the proposed FEM approach provides a reliable numerical framework for evaluating the mechanical performance and deterioration of RC beams affected by corrosion. © 2025 International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development.

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