Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Varying Levels of Corrosion on Seismic Performance of Beam-Column Joints

Corrosion of reinforcement bars in a reinforced concrete (RC) structure poses a potential threat to its strength and serviceability under a seismic environment. The severity of corrosion damage is governed primarily by the rate of corrosion and location of corrosion damage in the reinforcement bars. In the present study, the numerical simulation of the seismic behavior of RC Exterior beam-column joints (BCJ) was performed under the effect of non-uniform corrosion. Three non-seismically detailed BCJ specimen models were developed using 3D nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis with the software ABAQUS. The primary input parameters were the diametric reduction of the corrosion-damaged bars, modified mechanical properties of corroded bars, and reduced concrete strength due to splitting cracks and spalling of the concrete cover. The results of the simulation exhibited a significant degradation in the seismic performance with an increase in the level of corrosion. The high corrosion rate leads to a brittle fracture in the reinforcing bars, which may ultimately cause premature failure of the structural member.