Analysis of crack propagation behavior in concrete due to multi-rebar corrosion

Analytical model developed by the authors, using three-dimensional Rigid-Body-Spring-Method (RBSM) combined with a three-phase material corrosion-expansion model, was verified against experiments in the case of multi-rebar corrosion. The experiments of beams having multi-rebars were carried out by the other researchers using electric corrosion tests. The applicability of the analytical model was confirmed in terms of crack patterns, surface crack width and internal crack propagation due to multi-rebar corrosion. Moreover, a mechanism of crack propagation in concrete due to multi-rebar corrosion was investigated and compared with the case of single-rebar corrosion analytically. As a result, it was found that rebar spacing strongly affects crack patterns and crack propagation mechanism of concrete. Internal cracks are dominant rather than surface cracks and the propagation of internal cracks combined with surface cracks may cause de-lamination of the concrete cover.