LAUSR

Abstract The durability of reinforced concrete structures can be sharply reduced by the corrosion of the steel rebars. This phenomenon is of great concern, since it is one of main cause of degradation in RC structures, almost in non-exceptional conditions. Furthermore, the corrosion effects can influence the seismic behavior, leading to dangerous strain localizations and variations of strength distribution and rotation capacity. This problem is amplified if, due to the corrosion of the reinforcement, longitudinal and/or transversal, the buckling of the steel bars takes place. Main aim of the paper is the evaluation of the influence of the corrosion on the compressive and buckling behavior of corroded steel reinforcement bars. At the scope, a comprehensive experimental survey has been planned and performed, for different values of steel bar length-to-diameter ratios and different amount of corrosion. Furthermore, based on the obtained outcomes, a simplified analytical model is developed for the definition of the constitutive relationships of corroded bars under compression.