The article is devoted to the assessment of the strength of reinforced concrete elements with defects and damages. It examines the main types of defects (reinforcement corrosion, cracks, deformations, shrinkage, spalling of concrete, etc.), their causes, and consequences. The document also presents various calculation methods for evaluating the residual load-bearing capacity of structures, taking into account these defects, including formulas for assessing the impact of corrosion, cracks, and other damages on the strength of beams. It is noted that current methodologies primarily focus on analyzing a single type of defect, while a comprehensive approach to evaluating multiple damages requires further research. The research results can be useful for developing recommendations for the operation and repair of reinforced concrete structures, as well as for improving methods of assessing their safety during long-term use.

Keywords: strength, load-bearing capacity, damage, defect, crack, corrosion, degradation, experiment, reinforced concrete, beam