Experimental Study of the Effect of Preloading on the Eccentric Compression Behavior of Corroding Reinforced Concrete Columns

Steel corrosion is an important factor in the durability loss of reinforced concrete members. Many studies have examined reinforced concrete eccentric compression members in natural stress-free states and have drawn conclusions about durability from these data. To study the influence of different stress levels on the corrosion and eccentric compression performance of reinforced concrete columns, this study applied an accelerated corrosion test to reinforced concrete specimens with different preloading levels and then conducted eccentric compression axial force capacity tests and analyses. The results showed that for an ordinary reinforcement stirrup member, an increase in the level of preloading reduced the mass loss of the reinforcing bars, and there was a corresponding decrease in the loss of eccentric compression capacity and stiffness. For members with an epoxy-coated reinforcement stirrup, an increase in the preloading level increased the mass loss of the reinforcing bar, and the ultimate axial force capacity of the member under eccentric compression was reduced accordingly.