Influence of initial defects on the degradation of steel reinforced mortar exposed to cyclic wetting and drying environment based on 3D scanning

The influence of initial defect on the degradation of both steel and mortar cover exposed to cyclic wetting and drying environment was studied based on a 3D scanning technique. For this purpose, three locations of initial defects (interface, middle, and surface defect) were studied and compared with the case without initial defect. The results showed that initial defect affected steel corrosion conversely at the early and later stage, as well as the damage to mortar cover. In long term, the presence of initial defect close to the steel would cause more severe damage.