Corrosion Characteristics of Prestressing Strands and Reinforcing Bars Under Accelerated Corrosion Conditions

Abstract This study investigates the corrosion characteristics of prestressing strands and reinforcing bars using mold specimens. These components such as prestressing strands and reinforcing bars are critical for the durability and structural safety of prestressed and reinforced concrete structures, as they bear loads in tensile regions. Prestressing strands, which are constantly under high tensile stress, are particularly susceptible to corrosion. The presence of poorly compacted grout or the infiltration of de-icing agents from an upper girder can accelerate corrosion in these strands, potentially leading to their failure and significantly compromising structural safety. The extent of corrosion in the prestressing strands and reinforcing bars was quantitatively evaluated based on the charge transmitted through a specified circuit over a specified period, following Faraday's law. The methodology proposed in this study offers an accurate assessment of the corrosion characteristics observed in the prestressing strands and reinforcing bars. This study provided predictions of corrosion amount and depth for both types of reinforcements, depending on variations in the accelerated corrosion experiments. These findings are expected to aid in modeling corrosion in full-sized specimens, setting environmental parameters, and forecasting corrosion rates relative to the service life of the structures