Deterioration model of RC beams under marine atmospheric environment

This paper primarily proposes a deterioration model of reinforced concrete (RC) beams under marine atmospheric environment. Considering factors including corrosion initiation time, corrosion rate, corrosion non-uniformity and its effects on mechanical performances of steel bars, a comprehensive model was developed for the assessment of mechanical behaviour of RC beams under marine atmospheric environment. Also, to avoid the shortages brought by the classical truss theory, a modified compression field theory (MCFT) was applied to evaluate the effects of stirrups corrosion on the shear capacity of an RC beam. Then, according to a virtual case, the life-cycle performance of an RC beam was predicted through probability density evolution method (PDEM). Results approved the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model. Finally, further study work was pointed out.