Effect of pitting corrosion on the mechanical properties and fracture model of steel wires for bridge cable

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of characteristic parameters of pits on the mechanical properties and fracture model of cable steel wires. Design/methodology/approach The tensile test and finite element analysis of steel wires with corrosion damage were carried out. The stress development of corroded steel wire under corrosion morphology was studied by the 3D reverse reconstruction technology. The internal relationship between the stress triaxiality, equivalent plastic strain and pit depth, depth-width ratio of corroded steel wire was discussed. Findings With the increase of corrosion degree, the neck shrinkage phenomenon of steel wire was not significant, and the crack originated near the pit bottom and expanded to the section inside of specimen. The fiber area of corroded steel wire decreased while the radiation area increased, and the ductile fracture gradually changed to brittle fracture. The pit size significantly changed the triaxial degree and distribution of stress and accelerated the initiation and propagation of internal cracks at the neck shrinkage stage. Originality/value The proposed fracture model based on the void growth model could accurately simulate the fracture behavior of steel wires with corrosion damage.