Abstract
The deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is primarily caused by the corrosion of reinforcement due to chloride ingress or carbonation, with temperature playing a significant role in this process. This study presents a multi-physics modeling framework that integrates mass transport, electrochemical reactions, and material damage to simulate corrosion in RC structures. The model utilises experimentally validated parameters, including temperature-dependent chloride transport rates and binding capacities, to achieve enhanced accuracy. It was applied to assess the corrosion risk of RC structures in Hong Kong under various climate scenarios. Results showed that while higher temperatures accelerate chloride transport, they also increase chloride binding capacity, leading to only a slight reduction in corrosion initiation time with a 5°C rise. In tidal zones, climatic changes had a minimal impact, as corrosion was primarily driven by chloride. Surface layer carbonation caused an 8% reduction in corrosion initiation time. In marine atmospheric zones, corrosion began at low chloride levels due to partially carbonated concrete, reducing initiation time to less than half that of chloride ingress alone. This slow ingress resulted in localized corrosion and shorter intervals between initiation and first crack formation compared to tidal zones. This study provides a solid framework for evaluating corrosion risk in coastal structures.
Keywords
reinforced concrete corrosion, chloride ingress, carbonation, climate effects, structural durability.
DOI
10.5703/1288284318112
Recommended Citation
Das, C.S.; Ahmad, M.R.; Zhang, P.; and Dai, J-.G., "Corrosion Risk of RC Structures Against Combined Chloride Ingress and Carbonation Under Future Climate Projections" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 8.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/tmc/8
Corrosion Risk of RC Structures Against Combined Chloride Ingress and Carbonation Under Future Climate Projections
The deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is primarily caused by the corrosion of reinforcement due to chloride ingress or carbonation, with temperature playing a significant role in this process. This study presents a multi-physics modeling framework that integrates mass transport, electrochemical reactions, and material damage to simulate corrosion in RC structures. The model utilises experimentally validated parameters, including temperature-dependent chloride transport rates and binding capacities, to achieve enhanced accuracy. It was applied to assess the corrosion risk of RC structures in Hong Kong under various climate scenarios. Results showed that while higher temperatures accelerate chloride transport, they also increase chloride binding capacity, leading to only a slight reduction in corrosion initiation time with a 5°C rise. In tidal zones, climatic changes had a minimal impact, as corrosion was primarily driven by chloride. Surface layer carbonation caused an 8% reduction in corrosion initiation time. In marine atmospheric zones, corrosion began at low chloride levels due to partially carbonated concrete, reducing initiation time to less than half that of chloride ingress alone. This slow ingress resulted in localized corrosion and shorter intervals between initiation and first crack formation compared to tidal zones. This study provides a solid framework for evaluating corrosion risk in coastal structures.
