Measuring Corrosion-Induced Deformations in Reinforced Concrete: An Image-Based Approach by Means of X-Ray Computed Tomography

Paper i proceeding, 2025

Numerical models for assessing corrosion damage in reinforced concrete require validation through experimental research, which is challenging to achieve without disrupting the sample. In this paper, an image-based, non-destructive, experimental approach is presented to study corrosion-induced cracking in small-scale samples by measuring corrosion-induced deformations within the concrete, using data acquired from X-ray Computed Tomography. The acquired image data were analysed with Digital Volume Correlation to quantify deformations within the concrete. The results revealed a direct correlation between increasing corrosion level and increasing concrete deformations. Furthermore, strain localisation was measured in regions of concrete cracking. This approach has potential for studying time-dependent evolution of corrosion-induced deformations within small-scale reinforced concrete specimens, enabling physics-based modelling approaches that are experimentally validated.