The steel-concrete interface

Ueli M. Angst (1) , Mette R. Geiker (2, 3) , Alexander Michel (3) , Christoph Gehlen (4) , Hong Wong (5) , O. Burkan Isgor (6) , Bernhard Elsener (1) , Carolyn M. Hansson , Raoul François (7) , Karla Hornbostel (2) , Rob Polder (8) , Maria Cruz Alonso (9) , Mercedes Sanchez (9) , Maria Joao Correia (10) , Maria Criado (11) , A. Sagues (12) , Nick Buenfeld (5)

1 Institute for Building Materials
2 NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology [Trondheim]
3 DTU - Danmarks Tekniske Universitet = Technical University of Denmark
4 TUM - Technische Universität Munchen - Technical University Munich - Université Technique de Munich
5 Imperial College London
6 Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
7 LMDC - Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des constructions
8 TU Delft - Delft University of Technology
9 CSIC - Institute of Construction Sciences 'Eduardo Torreja'
10 LNEC - Laboratório nacional de engenharia civil [Lisboa] = National Laboratory for Civil Engineering [Lisbon] = Laboratoire national de génie civil [Lisbonne]
11 City College [International Faculty of the University of Sheffield]
12 USF - University of South Florida [Tampa]

Although the steel-concrete interface (SCI) is widely recognized to influence the durability of reinforced concrete, a systematic overview and detailed documentation of the various aspects of the SCI are lacking. In this paper, we compiled a comprehensive list of possible local characteristics at the SCI and reviewed available information regarding their properties as well as their occurrence in engineering structures and in the laboratory. Given the complexity of the SCI, we suggested a systematic approach to describe it in terms of local characteristics and their physical and chemical properties. It was found that the SCI exhibits significant spatial inhomogeneity along and around as well as perpendicular to the reinforcing steel. The SCI can differ strongly between different engineering structures and also between different members within a structure; particular differences are expected between structures built before and after the 1970/1980s. A single SCI representing all on-site conditions does not exist. Additionally, SCIs in common laboratory-made specimens exhibit significant differences compared to engineering structures. Thus, results from laboratory studies and from practical experience should be applied to engineering structures with caution. Finally, recommendations for further research are made.

Mots clés: Interfacial transition zone; Corrosion; Inhomogeneity; Variability; Durability; Steel–concrete interface

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

Ueli M. Angst, Mette R. Geiker, Alexander Michel, Christoph Gehlen, Hong Wong, et al.. The steel-concrete interface. Materials and structures, 2017, 50 (2), pp.143. ⟨10.1617/s11527-017-1010-1⟩. ⟨hal-01847546⟩