Reinforced concrete structures in service may be affected by aging, which may include changes in strength and stiffness beyond the baseline conditions which are assumed in structural design, in particular when the concrete is exposed to an aggressive environment. In this context, this paper provides a computational probabilistic approach to predict the time-evolution of the mechanical and geometrical properties of a reinforced concrete structural element (i.e., bridge pier) subjected to corrosion-induced deterioration, due to diffusive attack of chlorides, in order to evaluate its service life. Adopting appropriate degradation models of the material properties, concrete and reinforcing steel, as well as assuming appropriate probability density functions related to mechanical and deterioration parameters, the proposed model, based on Monte Carlo simulations, aims at estimating the time-variant reliability index. Finally, an application to estimate the expected lifetime of a r.c. bridge pier is described.
Effects of Chloride-Induced Corrosion on Structural Reliability of R.C. Structures
CASTALDO, PAOLO;PALAZZO, Bruno;
2016
Abstract
Reinforced concrete structures in service may be affected by aging, which may include changes in strength and stiffness beyond the baseline conditions which are assumed in structural design, in particular when the concrete is exposed to an aggressive environment. In this context, this paper provides a computational probabilistic approach to predict the time-evolution of the mechanical and geometrical properties of a reinforced concrete structural element (i.e., bridge pier) subjected to corrosion-induced deterioration, due to diffusive attack of chlorides, in order to evaluate its service life. Adopting appropriate degradation models of the material properties, concrete and reinforcing steel, as well as assuming appropriate probability density functions related to mechanical and deterioration parameters, the proposed model, based on Monte Carlo simulations, aims at estimating the time-variant reliability index. Finally, an application to estimate the expected lifetime of a r.c. bridge pier is described.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.