Advanced Finite-Element Predictive Model for the Service Life Prediction of Concrete Infrastructures in Support of Asset Management and Decision-Making

Recently, a new generation of finite-element-based predictive models capable of handling coupled multiple transport mechanisms such as diffusion, advection and electrical coupling were developed to evaluate the durability of concrete structures exposed to chloride-bearing environments. These tools are destined to replace the simplified approach based on Fick's second law. This paper presents a sophisticated finite-element ionic transport software, called STADIUM® that reliably predicts time to initiate corrosion and the multiple alterations that a structure can sustain throughout its service-life. The model is based on a multiionic approach that considers eight ionic species and the chemical interactions between the paste and the pore solution of cementitious materials. A test case of a parking structure shows the benefit of the proposed modeling approach compared to traditional analysis.