Structural safety of corroded reinforced concrete structures from visual inspection

Research Project, 2023 – 2025

Which ageing civil engineering structures are still safe to use? This question urgently requires answers. We will enable assessment of the safety of deteriorated reinforced concrete structures based on visual inspection, by linking cracking with remaining load-carrying capacity using local corrosion level at critical pits as proxy. An elaborate test program is designed, in which we will monitor accelerated and natural corrosion and crack development in well-defined uncracked and pre-cracked specimens. Novel techniques, such as X-ray and neutron tomography, will be used to gain insight into the structure during corrosion. Further, we will calibrate and verify models describing corrosion-induced cracking, including the development of non-uniform corrosion distribution along the surface of the bars. Finally, we will develop engineering methods linking crack pattern and width with local corrosion level at critical pits. The project combines experimental and numerical methods with gradually increasing complexity to reach practical relevance. Ultimately, the project will contribute to significant economic and environmental savings for society, and to the preservation of cultural heritage structures, as the improved knowledge will allow us to repair and replace existing structures only when necessary, still guaranteeing the required structural safety.