Mechanical properties of an iron oxide formed by corrosion in reinforced concrete structures

Abstract : The paper deals with elastic properties of iron oxides formed in reinforced concrete structures. Due to the difficulty to perform mechanical tests on the real oxides presented in the form of (multiple) laminated stratums, the elastic modulus of iron oxides remains unknown. Young’s moduli of porous compact “synthetic oxides” in powder form, obtained in laboratory conditions, were measured from both acoustic measurements and oedometric tests. The elastic modulus of the compact polycrystalline iron oxide is deduced with respect to two models, a micromechanical one and a Hertz’ theory. The full method is validated on a well-known material, the alumina.