3. Predominant Damages and Injuries in Reinforced Concrete Structures Arising During Use

The subject of this chapter is the effect of main corrosive air and/or water environment factors on strength of structural concrete and reinforced concrete during long-term operation. Specific destructive action of static and/or cyclic loads and induced complex deformations on processes of concrete damage and fracture is considered. Included case studies characterize decrease in concrete strength and load-carrying capability due to intense corrosion processes occurring on its surface and/or bulk. The specific effect of aggressive gas environments causing discontinuity of concrete’s heterogeneous structure and nucleation of defects such as cracks, laminations, cavities or others is characterized. Outline and characterization of principal biological and microbiological factors affecting the concrete injury in practice are given. Basic kinds of stress corrosion degradation causing thinning and load-bearing capacity diminishment of steel reinforcing wires in concrete are covered. The authors present analysis of combined effects of static/cyclic mechanical loads and corrosive air and/or water environment on injury and fracturing of concrete structures and constructions over long-term operation.