Measuring Corrosion-Induced Deformations in Reinforced Concrete: An Image-Based Approach by Means of X-Ray Computed Tomography

Numerical models for assessing corrosion damage in reinforced concrete require validation through experimental research, which is challenging to achieve without disrupting the sample. In this paper, an image-based, non-destructive, experimental approach is presented to study corrosion-induced cracking in small-scale samples by measuring corrosion-induced deformations within the concrete, using data acquired from X-ray Computed Tomography. The acquired image data were analysed with Digital Volume Correlation to quantify deformations within the concrete. The results revealed a direct correlation between increasing corrosion level and increasing concrete deformations. Furthermore, strain localisation was measured in regions of concrete cracking. This approach has potential for studying time-dependent evolution of corrosion-induced deformations within small-scale reinforced concrete specimens, enabling physics-based modelling approaches that are experimentally validated.