Finite element model of reinforcement corrosion in concrete

A nonlinear finite element model (FEM) of the corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete has been successfully developed on the basis of mathematical analysis of the electrochemical process of steel corrosion in concrete. The influences of the area ratio and the Tafel constants of the anode and ca...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jin-xia Xu, Lin-hua Jiang, Qi Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2009-06-01
Series:Water Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S167423701530065X
Description
Summary:A nonlinear finite element model (FEM) of the corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete has been successfully developed on the basis of mathematical analysis of the electrochemical process of steel corrosion in concrete. The influences of the area ratio and the Tafel constants of the anode and cathode on the potential and corrosion current density have been examined with the model. It has been found that the finite element calculation is more suitable for assessing the corrosion condition of steel reinforcement than ordinary electrochemical techniques due to the fact that FEM can obtain the distributions of potential and corrosion current density on the steel surface. In addition, the local corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete is strengthened with the decrease of both the area ratio and the Tafel constants. These results provide valuable information to the researchers who investigate steel corrosion.
ISSN:1674-2370