From tomography to mechanics: quantifying corrosion-induced splitting stresses in reinforced mortar

Abstract Corrosion of steel reinforcement is a major cause of deterioration in concrete structures, yet the mechanical response at the steel-mortar interface remains insufficiently understood. This study introduces an image-informed mechanics framework that quantifies the stress–strain behaviour of the corrosion layer and its role in cover cracking. X-ray and neutron computed tomography of a reinforced mortar specimen were used to determine corrosion-induced displacements at the steel-mortar int