This study used a 3-D transport model to analyze corrosion in an old arch bridge’s reinforcement under carbonation and chloride attack, factoring in realistic microclimates. Field data on oxygen, moisture, chloride, and carbonation levels informed the analysis. Findings show varying corrosion rates due to environmental factors, highlighting the need for diverse maintenance strategies according to climate scenarios.

This research established a method to quantify corrosion parameters like potential, current density, and Tafel slopes for rebar in simulated conditions. It examined how depassivation duration, chloride concentration, carbonation, and humidity affect these parameters. Notably, in partially saturated mortar, no distinct threshold was found for critical chloride content, and humidity significantly influenced depassivation indicated by shifts in corrosion parameters.

This dataset provides comprehensive corrosion parameter data for reinforcing steel (rebar) in simulated pore solutions and mortar. It includes detailed measurements of corrosion potential, corrosion current density, and Tafel slopes under various chloride levels and carbonation treatments. The data aims to shed light on the corrosion behaviour of rebar in environments that closely mimic real-world conditions.

Rational-RC is a practical life cycle deterioration modelling framework. It utilizes the field survey data and provides probabilistic predictions of the RC structure deterioration through different stages of the service life cycle. It covers various deterioration mechanisms such as membrane deterioration, concrete carbonation and chloride penetration, corrosion and cracking.

This research develops a circuit model to simulate non-uniform rebar corrosion in concrete, revealing that concrete’s resistivity causes non-uniform rebar potential, affecting polarisation curves. This leads to overestimated Tafel constants and corrosion current density, particularly under higher concrete resistivity. Accurate corrosion predictions require potentiodynamic scans or averaging techniques like this model.