Prediction of the monotonic load–displacement curve of slender RC beams with corroded transverse and longitudinal reinforcements

The present paper proposes a mechanical model for the prediction of the response of slender reinforced concrete beams with corroded transverse and longitudinal reinforcements. The proposed model is based on the Modified Compression Field Theory and is able to predict the load-displacement curve of members subjected to monotonic displacement-controlled tests up to their peak load. The corrosion-damage effects are considered by means of an effective width of the beam and by means of reduced values of both cross-sectional area and strain capacity of steel bars. The accuracy of the model is evaluated by comparison with results of tests reported in the literature. Moreover, a simple relation is suggested for the estimate of the shear strength of reinforced concrete beams with low values of the effective geometric percentage of (corroded) stirrups.