ABSTRACT
The major cause of deterioration of reinforced concrete (r.c.) structures must be sought in corrosion of reinforcing steel. Corrosion level is considered a significant parameter for predicting the useful service life of r.c. structures It influences not only the flexural and shear ultimate resistance, ductility and bond strength but also service behaviour. Reinforcement corrosion modifies steel transversal section with a reduction of effective area, concrete integrity by cracking of portions around corroded bar eventually with spalling and delamination of concrete cover and finally the interaction between concrete and reinforcement (bond reduction). Hence, performance of r.c. structures is deeply dependent on bond mechanism.
