Physics-Based Modelling of Concrete Degradation Phenomena: Impact of Construction Defects on Long Term Cost and Material Properties

Authors

• Manuel Salmeron, Purdue UniversityFollow
• Oscar D. Forero, Purdue UniversityFollow
• Talha Faiz Mohammed, Purdue UniversityFollow
• Kabir Shrivastava, Purdue UniversityFollow
• Shirley J. Dyke, Purdue UniversityFollow
• Julio A. Ramirez, Purdue UniversityFollow

Abstract

The quality of workmanship and adherence to specifications during the bridge construction phase of concrete decks, slabs, and continuous T-beams, are key factors on which future structural performance and durability hinge. If construction practices do not meet the required standards of quality, they may trigger early onset of deterioration processes that shorten the service life leading to unplanned interventions or unscheduled repairs, thus intensifying the need for maintenance actions and increasing costs during the service life of the bridge. Despite the consensus view that substandard construction practices reduce the performance of concrete structures, quantifying the impact is challenging. This difficulty is owed to the various deterioration processes involved that can be quite complex and have significant uncertainty, and to the challenge in accurately establishing the initial condition of the bridge. In this project, the research team from Purdue University expands the framework developed in SPR-4526 by incorporating the quantification of service life and costs associated with the loss in durability and structural performance in the presence of an excessive amount of air voids. The effect of interventions and repairs on recovering the loss of life, and their added costs, are also quantified.

Keywords

corrosion, life expectancy, bridge decks, chlorides, durability, construction and maintenance, air voids, deterioration, life cycle costing, physics-based mode

Report Number

FHWA/IN/JTRP-2026/14

SPR Number

4840

Sponsoring Organization

Indiana Department of Transportation

Performing Organization

Joint Transportation Research Program

Publisher Place

West Lafayette, Indiana

Date of Version

2026

DOI

10.5703/1288284318622

Recommended Citation

Salmeron, M., Forero, O., Faiz, T., Shrivastava, K., Dyke, S. J., & Ramirez, J. A. (2026). Physics-based modelling of concrete degradation phenomena: Impact of construction defects on long term cost and material properties (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2026/14). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284318622