ABSTRACT
Abstract This paper discussed on the degradation model for reinforced concrete structures under salt attack environment. Reviewing the studies on corrosion problems of concrete so far, the authors constructed an analytical model which could treat the deterioration process of concrete structures with time elapse, from the beginning to the end of life time. The input of model consists of the environmental conditions, material properties and structural details, and the output shows the movement and accumulation of corrosion inducers (water, oxygen, chloride ion), the process of steel corrosion, the initiation and propagation of cracks as well as the reduction of flexural capacity of concrete structures. Finally, some analytical examples are presented. Keywords: Salt attack, Corrosion of reinforcement, Degradation of capacity, Analytical model
1 Introduction
Corrosion of reinforcing bars in concrete has been a major concern for concrete engineers in a long time, and a lot of technical countermeasures have been developed widely in various aspects. Extensive research works have made it possible to evaluate the quantitative analyses of penetration and dispersion of corrosion inducers (water, oxygen, chloride ion), corrosion speed of steel and expectation of cracking of concrete due to corrosion of steel [1]. Moreover, studies are more actively conducted for the prediction of life time of existing concrete structures and the development of materials and repair methods to reduce the deterioration speed of structures [2,3].
