Stochastic Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Cracking due to Mixed-Mode Corrosion
Chloride-induced rebar corrosion could cause premature deterioration and reduce service life of highway reinforced concrete structures such as bridges and pavement slabs. This paper presents the results of a research study aiming at developing a stochastic finite element method to predict the service life of reinforced concrete. Starting from the mass conservation equation, the finite element (FE) method is used to model the ingress of multiple chemicals into variably saturated concrete matrix. The rebar corrosion is modeled using Faraday’s law and the incurred expansion of corrosion products is quantified in terms of a transient boundary displacement for subsequent analysis of concrete cracking. The cracking patterns of concrete under the expansion force of corrosion products are characterized using a cohesive fracture approach. Validated with laboratory experiments, the proposed numerical model is used to predict the service life of a bridge deck subjected to mixed localized and uniform corrosion. Different from the traditional deterministic approaches, this study predicts the service life of reinforced concrete structures in terms of their performance reliability. The proposed stochastic numerical model captures the critical issues involved in chloride-induced concrete deterioration and can be used to guide the maintenance and renewal activities of highway infrastructure in a more efficient way.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Pan, Tongyan
- Wang, Linbing
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2010-1-10 to 2010-1-14
- Date: 2010
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: DVD
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 15p
- Monograph Title: TRB 89th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bridges; Calcium chloride; Concrete; Corrosion; Cracking; Deterioration; Finite element method; Pavement cracking; Reinforced concrete; Reinforcing bars; Service life; Stochastic processes
- Uncontrolled Terms: Chloride ingress; Transportation infrastructure
- Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements; I32: Concrete; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01155551
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 10-4028
- Files: TRIS, TRB
- Created Date: Apr 28 2010 7:32AM