WP4 - Experimental validation of developed methodologies in WPs1-2-3
Work package description
In order to validate the methodology developed in WPs 1-2-3, an experimental test program is set up, consisting of a limited set of concrete elements (two beam types with different reinforcement configurations and one slab type specimen). For each specimen type, there will be 1 reference specimen, 2 specimens with different degrees of corrosion and 1 specimen with locally induced corrosion, established through accelerated testing. The specimens will first be subjected to non-destructive tests (measurements and vibration data), and consequently be subjected to destructive testing (core drilling for compression and tensile tests, reinforcement testing in relation to strength and corrosion patterns, and a 4-point bending test or shear tests).
Research results
The developed research methodologies are validated based on experimental tests on corroded reinforced concrete beams. Reinforced concrete beam specimens were subjected to accelerated corrosion for approximately 130 days.
Every beam is subjected to a destructive four-point bending test to determine the ultimate load-bearing capacity. The measured capacity from the experiment is compared to the developed structural models that predict the bending moment reisstance of corroded concrete beams. Based on the experimental tests, it is concluded that in general the developed model is able to predict the load-bearing capacity of structures with or without corrosion. Nevertheless, a model error should be considered in the evaluation. In order to more properly quantify this model error, a more extensive set of experimental tests needs to be considered.
