Predicting Corrosion-Related Bridge Durability with Laboratory-Measured Permeability Results
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 31, Issue 5
Abstract
A variety of complex modeling techniques is available to estimate the onset of chloride-induced corrosion in reinforced concrete infrastructure. Despite great progress in this area during the last two decades, many important structures have been designed using very simple diffusion models that are informed by basic laboratory testing. This paper describes an evaluation of the effectiveness of simple models and tests by analyzing a concrete comprising key components of an 8.4-km-long (5.2-mi-long) coastal bridge constructed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina that provides critical access to the mainland. A comparison of chloride permeability results was made between laboratory-mixed test batches of concrete and field-mixed concrete. Concrete specimens were prepared in the laboratory with identical mix designs to material specified for construction of the subject bridge. The test batches were evaluated by ponding with a 3% chloride solution as well as with the rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT). In the field, cores and concrete powder samples were removed from the coastal bridge after 2.2 years of exposure and again after 10.1 years, and the diffusion coefficient was determined. Results from the laboratory and the field were used to evaluate the efficacy of using laboratory-generated chloride diffusion parameters to model the ingress and service life of concrete mixed and placed in the field. Results showed good correlation between the performance of the laboratory-mixed concrete and the field mixed concrete. The durability modeling parameters used by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) designers were also found to be accurate and conservative.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the North Carolina Department of Transportation for their sponsorship of this research with funding as well as technical guidance and gracious operational support in the field.
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 31 • Issue 5 • October 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 7, 2016
Accepted: Jan 13, 2017
Published online: May 8, 2017
Published in print: Oct 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Oct 8, 2017
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