Corrosion cracking behavior of reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw cycles

This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study on the corrosion cracking behavior of reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw cycles. Accelerated corrosion tests were carried out on reinforced concrete specimens subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. The test results of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) showed that the cracking positions on the concrete surface were randomly distributed. The critical corrosion ratio of reinforcing bars decreased with increasing freeze-thaw cycles. The reinforcing bar critical corrosion ratio at cover cracking under freeze-thaw environment was established with the thick-walled double cylinder theory, and was in acceptable with experimental results. •The corrosion cracking behavior of reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw cycles was studied.•Reinforced concrete surface strains were monitored by the DIC technique.•Effects of freeze-thaw cycles on the critical corrosion ratio were analyzed.•A model for the corrosion cracking in a freeze-thaw environment was established.