Factors Affecting Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of RC Structures in Chloride Contaminated Environments

Abstract

Corrosion of reinforcing steel is the main course of deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in chloride contaminated environments. Various measures can be employed to protect RC structures against corrosion and to improve their durability. Efficiency of these measures can be compared using life-cycle cost analysis. The present paper examines the influence of different sources of uncertainty associated with modeling corrosion initiation and propagation (and corresponding structural damage) on results of life-cycle cost analysis, in particular, on estimated cost of failure. Serviceability failure due excessive cracking is considered. The considered sources of uncertainty include uncertainties associated with time-dependent modeling surface chloride content and chloride diffusion coefficient, prediction of threshold chloride concentration and corrosion rate, and modeling crack initiation and propagation.