Is there enough anchorage capacity in corroded bridges? Tests and analyses of specimens from Stallbackabron

Corrosion of reinforcement is one of the most common causes of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures. Corroding reinforcement causes volume increase, generating spalling stresses that risk spalling the concrete cover, which in turn affects the transfer of forces between reinforcement and concrete. To be able to assess the load-carrying capacity of existing structures, models that can describe the effect of corrosion on the anchorage are needed. However, all the knowledge available today on the topic is extracted from test specimens subjected to accelerated corrosion under laboratory conditions. In this project, naturally corroded edge beams from Stallbacka bridge are tested to investigate anchorage capacity.

The results are evaluated through comparison with other tests found in the literature and by non-linear finite element analysis. The knowledge gained through the project will be developed to be of use for practical applications, e.g. for calculating the available anchorage capacity for corroded reinforcement and the stress in transverse reinforcement due to corrosion. The results from the project will provide better understanding of the structural effects of naturally corroded reinforcement, and can most of all be used for assessment of the residual load-carrying capacity of severely corroded concrete bridges, but also for life time design.

 

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• Karin Lundgren

  Professor/Research group leader, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Concrete Structures

  Karin Lundgren is professor in Concrete Structures at the Division of Structural Engineering, research group Concrete Structures. Her research has been ranging from large scale (complete buildings)...
• Mario Plos

  Professor/Head of Division, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Concrete Structures

  Mario is a Professor and Head of Division at the Division of Structural Engineering, he works in the research group Concrete Structures at Chalmers.
• Kent Gylltoft

  Professor, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Concrete Structures

  Kent is a Professor at the Division of Structural Engineering, research group Concrete Structures, at Chalmers. The main goal of his research is to develop analysis- and design methods for more safe...