State-of-the-Art on the Combined Effects of Freeze/Thaw Exposure and Reinforcement Corrosion on the Structural Performance of RC Structures

Maha Dabas, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Civil Engineering,

University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, mdaba091@uottawa.ca  

Beatriz Martín-Pérez, Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering,

University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, beatriz.martin-perez@uottawa.ca

Husham Almansour, Senior Research Officer, Civil Engineering Infrastructure,

National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Husham.almansour@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Freezing & Thawing Cycles (FTC) on Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures is a significant problem for vulnerable infrastructure exposed to extreme climate conditions. This problem is exacerbated by the presence of de-icing agents that lead to reinforcement corrosion and overall concrete deterioration. Current research has mainly focused on studying the mechanical properties of concrete when exposed to cyclic conditions of freeze & thaw. Few studies have analyzed the influence of FTC on the structural performance of RC structures or the dual action of FTC and reinforcement corrosion on the structural performance of RC structural members. This paper surveys available literature on the synergistic effects of one or multiple environmental exposures on the durability and structural performance of concrete structures subjected to service loads. It also provides a summary comparison between adopted test methodologies according to current national and international standards. The literature survey is organized as follows: the 1) effect of FTC on: i) mechanical properties; and ii) structural performance; 2) the effect of dual action of FTC and corrosion on the mechanical properties and structural performance of concrete; and, 3) a comparison summary of the methodologies implemented by previous studies according to current international standards. Finally, this paper draws a series of conclusions and recommendations for future work based on the reviewed literature.