Bridge pier corrosion in seismic areas: forecasting, future behavior and assessment

The detrimental effect of steel corrosion on seismic response is investigated by non-linear analysis. A multiphysics FE model is used to evaluate the time-dependent chloride-induced corrosion. Different steel arrangements are considered. Results show that the greater is the diameter of the reinforcing bar, the lower is the degree of corrosion. Furthermore, numerical investigations of seismic response with IMPAb suggest that pitting corrosion may lead to different bar behavior, producing or avoiding premature bar buckling. Corrosion of transverse reinforcements results to be more severe than for longitudinal ones leading to probable shear failure.