ABSTRACT
Based on the theory of reliability analysis, this paper uses Monte Carlo method to predict service life of cracked concrete. Considering the deterioration process of RC structure will be obviously accelerated in the presence of cracks, the corrosion initiation time in cracked concrete is taken as the end of service life. The effect of crack width on chloride diffusivity was mainly considered and summarized based on available publications, and the corresponding time for rebar depassivation was predicted and compared. The results show that chloride diffusion coefficient in cracked concrete increases with the increase of crack width, but the consensus on the quantitative effect of crack width on chloride diffusion coefficient has not achieved. When the crack penetrates through the concrete to the rebar surface, the steel will rust very quickly. With the increase of crack width, the corrosion initiation time in most scholars’ models decreases as a power function. And the cover thickness has a significant influence on service life of cracked concrete.
