A new two-staged model to predict corrosion degree of steel bars in cracked concrete area

In order to quantitatively describe the local corrosion process of steel bars in cracked concrete area, a new two-staged utility model is established, and the effect of transverse cracks on the reinforcement corrosion is analyzed from the angle of long-term service performance evaluation for reinforced concrete structure. Moreover, based on the principle of spectral analysis for environmental action of concrete, an equivalent relationship is established between the corrosion rate in the natural environment and that under the standard temperature and relative humidity condition according to the principle of equivalent annual corrosion depth. Comparison between the inspection results from some references and the calculated values by the two-staged utility model validates the feasibility of the proposed model. The model was applied to Chinese Railway Track System (CRTS)II ballastless track slab with transverse dummy joints, from which satisfactory results of corrosion degree of steel bars were obtained.