EVALUATE THE INFLUENCE OF CONCRETE STRENGTH ON THE LEVEL OF CORROSION OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT IN REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM STRUCTURES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE APPLIED LOAD

Abstract

In coastal areas, transportation infrastructure using reinforced concrete beam structures always works in environmental conditions with high corrosive agents, under the effect of load, the level of corrosion of steel reinforcement in the structure is high. The beam condition becomes more severe, which leads to a decrease in the beam's bending resistance. The level of corrosion of steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete beam structures depends on many influencing factors. These factors need to be seriously researched and evaluated to provide early warning results for designer, construction worker, operater for exploit the project safely and effectively. This article presents the results of research evaluating the influence of concrete strength on the level of corrosion of steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete beam structures, often taking into account the effect of load causing beam bending. Reinforced concrete beam samples were made with concrete at different strength levels: C30, C40 and C50 MPa; Then it was loaded with a yoke system with a loading level equivalent to 0.8Pmax of the destructive strength of the concrete sample. After the yokes were loaded, the beam samples were subjected to accelerated corrosion testing in a highly concentrated salt water environment. concentration equivalent to 3.5% NaCl for a period of 30 days, equivalent to an actual exploitation time of about 35 years. The corrosion rate of steel reinforcement is increased by supplying direct current to create an electrolytic corrosion environment, ensuring that the steel bars are corroded equivalent to the estimated calculated time. Beam samples after accelerated corrosion testing were evaluated for damage in terms of reinforcement volume.