## 5 Conclusions and Future Research Needs  
This study performed a first-ever review of structural performance in terms of the load-bearing capacity of concrete elements exposed to chloride ingress, where fibres and rebar were used in combination as reinforcement. The analysis is limited to normal-strength concrete and steel and macro-synthetic fibres. In the review, significant differences in the methodology and in the parameters that govern chloride ingress were observed. Therefore, a quantitative assessment of the structural performance of RR-FRC under chloride ingress remains challenging. However, an assessment in qualitative terms can be made. The most important conclusions are as follows:  
* Based on the electrochemical measurements of corrosion potential (\(E_{\text{corr}}\)) or corrosion current density (\(i_{\text{corr}}\)), corrosion initiation was prolonged in RR-FRC elements relative to RC ones. Furthermore, the evolution of \(E_{\text{corr}}\), \(i_{\text{corr}}\), over time and the gravimetric loss of rebar mass after exposure imply a better performance of RR-FRC in the propagation phase. * Corrosion of RR-FRC elements is governed by the same mechanisms as corrosion in RC, and as such, similar strategies may be used to mitigate it (related to the mix design, porosity, impermeability, etc.). * Based on the recorded ultimate and yield loads (and their corresponding deflections), in general, the degradation of load-bearing capacity (relative to uncorroded elements) was lower in RR-FRC than in RC elements. In a smaller number of instances, where degradation of RC was lower than that of RR-FRC relative to their reference counterparts, corroded RR-FRC still outperformed corroded RC in absolute terms. * Fibres prove effective in preserving the ductile failure mechanism in flexure in corroding RR-FRC elements, whereas corroded RC elements tend to fail abruptly, changing the failure mechanism from ductile to brittle. Furthermore, a comparison of ultimate deflection (or deformation) indicates that corroded RR-FRC elements exhibit greater overall ductility than RC. * The negative effects of cracking on durability (corrosion initiation and propagation) persist for the RR-FRC elements, but their effects are mitigated by the presence of fibres. However, different campaigns reported vastly different corrosion initiation times, even for the same value of crack width. * More than crack widths themselves, the loading conditions seem to have a more dominant effect on the performance of RR-FRC under chloride ingress, both on the corrosion initiation and propagation, and consequently, the level of degradation of load-bearing capacity. There is a strong correlation between damage at the steel-concrete interface and degradation of structural performance. Namely, cyclically loaded elements were found to exhibit the highest degradation of load-bearing capacity (even if they were left non-loaded afterwards), followed by elements under static sustained loads, and finally, by undamaged (non-loaded) elements. In this regard, the use of fibres may be especially important, as they mitigate the level of damage at the ITZ. * There is no sufficient evidence to claim the superiority of one fibre type (or one RR-FRC type) over others. * Due to the potential interference effects of DC usage to accelerate corrosion and fibres on the state of the ITZ, a direct comparison between RC and different types of RR-FRC might be complicated if a DC with high intensity is used. Based on the reviewed literature and the conclusions drawn by the author, in descending order of importance, the level of knowledge in this field could be further advanced by performing experimental campaigns without the use of DC-accelerated corrosion techniques, as previously discussed. Moreover, expanding the number of studies that analyse the state of the ITZ could help shed more light on the role of ITZ in chloride-induced corrosion.