Discussion of "Analytical Model to Predict Nonlinear Flexural Behavior of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beams" by Tamer El Maaddawy, Khaled Soudki, and Timothy Topper (With Closure)

A discussion of the aforementioned article, published in this journal (July-August 2005) is presented. The discusser provides another perspective to the problem of beam deflection by relating the method with the idea of tension stiffening, and questions why the computed beam responses do not show an expected jump at cracking. The authors respond by stating that the primary goal of the paper was to predict the reduction in strength and stiffness caused by corrosion of steel reinforcement, and addresses the issues presented by the discusser.