Melchers, R.E. and Li, C.Q. (2010) Predicting the life of reinforced concrete structures in severe marine environments. In: Bridge maintenance, safety, management and life-cycle optimization: Proceedings of the Fifth International conference on bridge maintenance, safety and management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 11-15 July 2010. Proceedings of the 5th International IABMAS Conference, 2010 (5). CRC Press, Leiden, The Netherlands, p. 314. ISBN 978-0-415-87786-2 (print), 978-0-415-89137-0 (ebook)

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

It is generally agreed that reinforced concrete structures exposed to harsh marine environments will, within the space of one or two decades, start to show modest or even serious deterioration due to reinforcement corrosion unless special care is taken to prevent or reduce the rate of entry of aggressive chlorides.
Usually the life prediction is based on the rate of ingress of chlorides ions. However, careful review of many older reinforced concrete structures shows that some have survived decades despite very high chloride levels and little or no protective measures or special additives. Conversely, there are cases were reinforcement corrosion is evident despite considerable concrete cover and high concrete quality.
A review is given of more than 300 cases for which corrosion initiation and corrosion progression took many years to occur. Ccnsiderable differences were found in the time to corrosion initiation and in time to active corrosion. Figure 1 gives an example.
A small number of brief case studies are given, together with an extended discussion of the possible reasons why some reinforced concrete structures show much better long-term durability than others.
It is argued that long-term durability depends on pH reserves (i.e. alkalinity) and this can be provided by aggregates such as limestone and non-reactive dolomites. This observation is consistent with corrosion science principles.
It is concluded also that calcium carbonate by itself (such as caused by 'carbonation') does not lower the concrete pH immediately adjacent to the reinforcement to permit corrosion initiation. The additional leaching of alkalies must occur before corrosion can initiate.
These findings potentially have important practical implications for the prediction of the life of reinforced concrete structures. This matter is currently under investigation.

Item Type:	Conference Proceedings
Title of Proceedings:	Bridge maintenance, safety, management and life-cycle optimization: Proceedings of the Fifth International conference on bridge maintenance, safety and management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 11-15 July 2010.
Additional Information:	[1]DEWEY 624.20288/DEWEY edition DC22
Uncontrolled Keywords:	reinforced, concrete, marine, predicting
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) T Technology > TC Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering
Pre-2014 Departments:	School of Engineering School of Engineering > Department of Civil Engineering School of Engineering > Civil Infrastructure Management Research Group
Related URLs:	Publisher Organisation
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2016 09:19
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/7703

Actions (login required)

View Item