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http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/sem.2005.20.3.265

Application of fractals to study the corroded reinforced concrete beam  

Fan, Y.F. (State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology)
Zhou, J. (State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology)
Hu, Z.Q. (State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology)
Publication Information
Structural Engineering and Mechanics / v.20, no.3, 2005 , pp. 265-277 More about this Journal
Abstract
This paper is focused on fractal analysis of the surface cracking, a new tool for safety evaluation of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Comprehensive experimental investigations, including flexural tests, coupon tests on strength evaluation of corroded concrete and rusty rebar, and pullout tests to determine bond strength between concrete and rebar were carried out on nine Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beams (CRCB) exposed to an aggressive environment for more than 10 years. In combination with test results from a previous study on CRCBs fabricated in the laboratory from accelerated methods, it is found that, for both types of beams, the surface cracking distributions are fractal in character at loading and failure stages. Fractal dimension is calculated for all specimens at different corrosion states based on fractal analysis method. Relationships between the fractal dimension and mechanical properties of corroded concrete, rebar corrosion ratio, and ductility of CRCBs are discussed in detail. It is concluded that the fractal dimension can act as a damage index and can be efficiently used to describe the corrosion state of CRCBs.
Keywords
condition assessment; corrosion; reinforced concrete beam; fractal; fractal dimension;
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