Residual Life of Corroding Reinforced Concrete Structures in Marine Environment

Abstract

Investigations have been conducted during the last three decades regarding chloride penetration and prediction of corrosion initiation. However, few investigations have dealt with corrosion propagation and/or residual life predictions, which are also needed for durability forecasting. Therefore, the aim of this investigation is to discuss, based on experimental information from previous investigations, the possibility of linking the degree of degradation (from a load-capacity reduction point of view) to the surface distress (for example, crack width opening) of a corroding reinforced concrete element in a marine environment. An empirical relationship between the residual load capacity of a reinforced-concrete element and the degree of reinforcement radius loss by corrosion was estimated, and a second empirical relationship between the surface crack width and the reinforcement radius loss was established based on available experimental data. Finally, data between the average corrosion penetration and the maximum pit depth were used to propose an empirical relationship that may be applicable to the performance of corroding prestressed-concrete elements.