Mechanical performance of corroded steel bars in concrete

<jats:p> This paper presents an experimental investigation into the corrosion of reinforcing steel bars corroded in two different environments. Reinforcing steel bars of different diameters in four different grades were corroded using two accelerated corrosion methods; one was to simulate the corrosion induced by carbonation and the other was to simulate chloride aggression. The corrosion patterns and rust characteristics of the corroded steel bars were examined and compared with those observed in real reinforced concrete structures. Tensile tests were also carried out on the corroded reinforcing steel bars. The mechanical performance characteristics (yield strength, ultimate strength, yield ratio, elongation, etc.) were examined. Based on the experimental results, a time-dependent assessment method for the mechanical behaviour of corroded reinforcing steel bars in multi-environments is proposed. </jats:p>