Probabilistic Model to Predict the Durability of Concrete Affected by Salt Crystallization
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 2
Abstract
The architectural heritage of the 1950s, mainly built in reinforced concrete, currently presents serious problems of degradation in the structural members more exposed to environmental aggressiveness. One cause of degradation of the porous material is the presence of sulfates in the water whose crystallization causes microfractures inside itself with subsequent detachment of surface layers. It is important to be able to predict the evolutionary trend of such damage on the basis of the composition of the concrete in order to improve its performance. The uncertainties inherent in the phenomenon of degradation suggest a probabilistic approach to this problem. Therefore, to study the decay produced by the presence of sulfates in concrete structures, accelerated durability laboratory tests on concrete specimens were carried out. This decay, quantified in a laboratory through a laser-triangulation profilometer, provided the basis on which a probabilistic modeling of the evolution of durability over time was developed.
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Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 26 • Issue 2 • June 2020
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 29, 2018
Accepted: Nov 26, 2019
Published online: Apr 7, 2020
Published in print: Jun 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Sep 7, 2020
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