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The Effect of Corrosion of Prestressing Reinforcement on the Behaviour of Concrete Bridges Cover

The Effect of Corrosion of Prestressing Reinforcement on the Behaviour of Concrete Bridges

Open Access
|Mar 2026

Figures & Tables

Figure 1:

Structural and technical Condition of Prestressed Bridges in Slovakia

Figure 2:

Structural and technical Condition of Prestressed Bridges in Slovakia after year 1975

Figure 3:

Stress-strain diagram for prestressing steel

Figure 4:

Loading scheme of prestressed girder

Figure 5:

Cross-section of beam

Figure 6:

Analysed beam

Figure 7:

Analysed beam with reinforcement

Figure 8:

Stress-strain diagram of prestressing steel

Figure 9:

Load-deflection diagram

Figure 10:

Crack pattern distributions with width greater than 0.3 mm

Figure 11:

Principal stress in strands prior to failure

Corrosion type

Corosion typeMain causesCharacteristic appearanceEffects on structure
Pitting corrosionChloride ingress (de-icing salts, marine exposure), depassivation of steel surfaceSmall but deep pits on the surface of wires/strandsStress concentration - fracture without warning
Uniform corrosionLong-term exposure to moisture and oxygen, concrete carbonationEven thinning of steel surfaceGradual loss of cross-section and load-bearing capacity
Crevice corrosionNarrow gaps or voids in concrete, insufficient grouting of ductsRust concentrated in gaps, spalling of concrete coverLocal weakening → initiation of pitting corrosion
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC)Combination of high tensile stress and aggressive environment (chlorides, acidic medium)Long, narrow cracks without plastic deformationSudden brittle failure at low strains
Hydrogen embrittlementHydrogen generated during corrosion reactions or cathodic protectionNo significant surface changes, internal weakening of the metalLoss of ductility, sudden brittle fracture

Results

SampleUltimate load [MPa]Midspan deflection [mm]
Beam A: Reference state950273
Beam B: 5% loss806333
Beam C: 35% loss61983

Inputs for nonlinear analysis

SampleTensile strength (mean value) [MPa]Yield strength (mean value) [MPa]Strain [%]
Beam A - Reference state195217753.5
Beam B - 5% loss164515641.86
Beam C - 25% loss1350-0.6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cee-2026-0037 | Journal eISSN: 2199-6512 | Journal ISSN: 1336-5835
Language: English
Page range: 358 - 371
Submitted on: Aug 19, 2025
Accepted on: Sep 11, 2025
Published on: Mar 24, 2026
Published by: University of Žilina
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

© 2026 Zuzana Haššová, Viktor Borzovič, Matej Jurgoš, published by University of Žilina
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.