Effect of corrosion degree on different steel ductility parameters, based on “Equivalent Steel” criterion

Purpose – One of the meaningful effects of concrete reinforcement steel corrosion on concrete structures is the decrease of mechanical properties, specifically the ductility of steel. The term ductility of steel refers to a group of properties which determine the reinforced concrete structures (RCS) and it is necessary to take this property into account for the recalculation of structures that have been already corroded until the point to condition in many occasions the analysis methodology. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This research studies the variation on ductility of concrete embedded steels bars after going through an accelerated corrosion process. Tensile strength of high ductility reinforcements with different corrosion levels has been tested. Ductility was studied in terms of ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, ultimate strain, energy density of deformation and “equivalent steel” criterion. It also makes some considerations about what is the best met...