ABSTRACT
Structural performance of RC members is significantly affected by localized corrosion on steel reinforcement. It is essential to study the effect of spatial steel corrosion on their structural performance assessment. Artificial chloride environment (ACE) method is regarded as an appropriate accelerated-corrosion technique for inducing steel corrosion similar to that under natural conditions. However, it is time-consuming. Researchers prefer to use the galvanostatic (GS) method by adjusting the current density. Nevertheless, applying different current densities causes a substantial difference in steel corrosion and structural behavior of RC members. This paper aims to investigate the spatial growth in steel corrosion and structural behavior of RC beams corroded by using the ACE method. Experimental results are compared to those associated with the GS method. Finite element analysis considering spatial steel corrosion is employed to simulate the structural performance of RC beams. Recommendations on suitable current densities to be used in a laboratory test are provided.
