Long-term shear strength of RC beams based on a mechanical model that considers reinforcing steel corrosion

Abstract

[eng] Corrosion of stirrups (generally with small diameters and concrete covers) significantly affects the shear strength of reinforced concrete elements. As shear failures may lead to brittle collapses, hence the need to avoid them during structures' entire service life. The Compression Chord Capacity Model (CCCM), a shear mechanical model, was recently extended to predict the strength of corrosion-damaged beams by identifying the model parameters that could be most affected by steel corrosion. In this paper, the CCCM is combined with two material deterioration models included in the new Spanish Structural Code, and considers carbonation of concrete or chloride ions, to predict long-term shear strength evolution. Finally, a parametric analysis is carried out to explore the effect of the most influential parameters on shear strength degradation according to the used models and depending on different exposure classes.