Title:
Prediction of Chloride Ions Ingress in Uncracked and Cracked Concrete
Author(s):
Mohamed Boulfiza, Koji Sakai, Nemkumar Banthia, and Hidenori Yoshida
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
100
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
38-48
Keywords:
concrete; cracks; durability.
DOI:
10.14359/51712249
Date:
1/1/2003
Abstract:
The ingress of chloride ions into concrete plays a crucial role in
reinforcing bar corrosion and, hence, for the durability and life of a structure. The problem is more acute once cracking has occurred. This paper presents mathematical models and numerical simulations for water movement and chloride ions ingress by diffusion and advection in cracked and uncracked concrete under saturated or unsaturated conditions. It has been shown that water movement at a crack is very sensitive to its saturation level and chloride ions ingress is also significantly affected by the presence of cracks. Empirical equations for the determination of chloride ions diffusion coefficients have also been proposed for a wide range of w/c ratios based on a comprehensive database and sample design nomographs for concrete cover shown.