Experimental Verification of the Model for Estimating the Corrosion Current of Reinforcement in an RC Element

This article includes tests of the deflection and load-bearing capacity of reinforced concrete beams exposed to chloride ions. This work forms part of the verification of a newly developed model for estimating the intensity of the corrosion current of the reinforcement, which assumes the possibility of estimating the corrosion parameter based on a detailed analysis of the element deformation. The model assumes the use of the inverse problem, which is based on the analysis of deflection as a result of the partial impact of the corrosion process on the main reinforcement in the reinforced concrete element. This article presents, in detail, the course of the conducted tests, including the results of the deflection measurements with simultaneous measurements of the intensity of the corrosion current of the reinforcement during the test. As part of this research, a gravimetric analysis of the loss of reinforcement mass caused by the ongoing corrosion process was also performed. The main objective of this research was to experimentally verify the adopted model of the new diagnostic method, which fully confirmed the model assumptions. The obtained research results confirmed the validity of the assumptions adopted in the theoretical model, which was further confirmed by analytical calculations.