Efficient macro-scale models for reinforcement corrosion modeling in reinforced concrete structures

Reinforcement corrosion due to chloride ingress or carbonation is an important deterioration mechanism, which may compromise the service life of reinforced concrete structures.This paper presents an efficient macro-scale model, aiming to capture the most important aspects of the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures due to reinforcement corrosion.A chemomechanical model covers the initiation and propagation of chlorides using a 1D time-dependent model.This model is combined with the nonlinear modeling of cracking, bond failure, and reinforcement yielding.These models are implemented in the ATENA software and have been previously proven to provide a reliable prediction of structural performance deterioration.An example of an application from the consultancy practice is presented in the paper.