Title: Development of Limit State Service Life Design

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Publication: CIA

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Date: 2/13/2011

Abstract:
Most service life models for reinforced concrete (RC) are based on estimation of the time to corrosion initiation and corrosion cracking. The end of service life has traditionally been determined from the estimation of time to steel depassivation. This type of model is useful in the planning and management of maintenance of reinforced concrete structures. However, it would be premature to associate steel depassivation or even cracking and spalling as an indication of the end of useful service life. Recent research from L.M.D.C. (Laboratoire Matériaux et Durabilité des Constructions) in France and University of Dundee in the UK has highlighted the importance of a better understanding of the consequence of reinforcement corrosion on the serviceability and ultimate load-carrying capacity of a RC structural member. Based on this research, this paper examines the development of limit state service life design of reinforced concrete in marine environment. The end of service life for concrete in marine environment has been associated with the initiation of cracking or when a certain percentage of corrosion weight loss. It has been found that for flexural members, corrosion of stirrups have no significant effect on structural performance. Corrosion of the main reinforcement, on the other hand, leads to a loss in the stiffness of the members under designed service load. The ultimate load can be reduced compared to a member with no reinforcement corrosion.