Abstract
Reinforced concrete (RC) abutments constructed in tidal rivers are periodically exposed to saltwater due to tidal fluctuations, which can lead to rebar corrosion and a decline in structural performance. To maintain such infrastructure more efficiently and cost-effectively, high-resolution simulations in both time and space can help predict the timing of performance degradation with greater accuracy, enabling optimal repair and reinforcement scheduling. Achieving higher accuracy in these simulations requires appropriate modelling of continuous environmental variations, such as tidal fluctuations, temperature, and humidity. This study focuses on RC abutments located in tidal zones and examines a modelling approach to represent environmental conditions at different heights. During low tide, the abutment is exposed to air and undergoes drying, while at high tide, it is submerged in seawater. The penetration rate of chloride ions differs depending on moisture conditions: in drier areas with prolonged air exposure, advection plays a dominant role, whereas in continuously submerged regions, diffusion governs chloride transport. Considering these effects, a method was developed to determine environmental actions based on time increments used in simulations. Furthermore, future simulations based on this modelling approach were conducted to evaluate the timing and extent of rebar corrosion at different locations within the abutment. The results provide insight into how structural performance deteriorates over time, contributing to the development of optimised maintenance strategies for RC structures in tidal environments.
Keywords
corrosion, chloride ion, tidal river, life-time simulation, residual structural performance
DOI
10.5703/1288284318115
Recommended Citation
Suzuki, Yuto; Chijiwa, Nobuhiro; Nakayama, Kazuhide; Iwanami, Mitsuyasu; and Syll, Amadou Sakhir, "Deterioration Prediction and Optimal Repair Timing Assessment for RC Abutments in Tidal River Environments" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 7.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/cms/7
Deterioration Prediction and Optimal Repair Timing Assessment for RC Abutments in Tidal River Environments
Reinforced concrete (RC) abutments constructed in tidal rivers are periodically exposed to saltwater due to tidal fluctuations, which can lead to rebar corrosion and a decline in structural performance. To maintain such infrastructure more efficiently and cost-effectively, high-resolution simulations in both time and space can help predict the timing of performance degradation with greater accuracy, enabling optimal repair and reinforcement scheduling. Achieving higher accuracy in these simulations requires appropriate modelling of continuous environmental variations, such as tidal fluctuations, temperature, and humidity. This study focuses on RC abutments located in tidal zones and examines a modelling approach to represent environmental conditions at different heights. During low tide, the abutment is exposed to air and undergoes drying, while at high tide, it is submerged in seawater. The penetration rate of chloride ions differs depending on moisture conditions: in drier areas with prolonged air exposure, advection plays a dominant role, whereas in continuously submerged regions, diffusion governs chloride transport. Considering these effects, a method was developed to determine environmental actions based on time increments used in simulations. Furthermore, future simulations based on this modelling approach were conducted to evaluate the timing and extent of rebar corrosion at different locations within the abutment. The results provide insight into how structural performance deteriorates over time, contributing to the development of optimised maintenance strategies for RC structures in tidal environments.
