Flexural capacity of corroded post-tensioned concrete beams: large scale tests and numerical simulationa

Abstract

An experimental campaign was carried out at the University of Messina to study the influence of the tendon corrosion on the response of post-tensioned concrete beams under transversal loads. Six beams were cast in 2006 and subjected to induced corrosion of the tendons by injecting a chemical solution or an acid in some parts of the duct. The results showed that the load bearing capacity was reduced up to 50%, with respect to the tested un-corroded beam. The tests were simulated by means of a non-linear time dependent analysis model, developed at UPC, showing its capacity to capture the effects of corrosion along the time and to estimate the degree of corrosion.