Concrete performance in relation to the exposure zones in the marine environment

Author(s): I. Stipanović, D. Bjegović, M. Serdar
Paper category: Conference
Book title: 2nd International conference on Microstructural-related Durability of Cementitious Composites
Editor(s): Guang Ye, K. Van Breugel, Wei Sun, Changwen Miao
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-129-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-123-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Pages: 550-558
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: 
An extended condition survey was performed on reinforced concrete columns, which were a part of the marine structure at the Adriatic coast and submerged in the sea for more than 30 years. After the extraction of columns from the sea, numerous testing were performed in order to determine physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the concrete. Based on the visual assessment of the columns’ condition, geometry and chloride determination, they were assigned with five exposure zones: splashing zone, tidal zone, and three submerged zones different in geometrical shape and orientation, in order to determine intensity and influence of the sea action.

Within this paper the results of chloride content determination, chloride profiles and calculation of diffusion coefficients related to the exposure zones are presented. Chloride surface concentrations are discussed further and statistically analysed with the aim to define
chlorides as an environmental load to concrete structures.

Splashing and tidal zone, as expected, have the highest chloride concentrations and the highest dissipation of results, while submerged zones unexpectedly have shown a dependence of surface chloride concentration on the structural geometry shape. Correction factors for the chloride surface concentrations in relation to the geometry of the concrete elements are suggested for the first time, which should be included during design stage and calculation of durability properties of concrete elements in submerged zones. Based on this preliminary research results recommendations for the future research work are given.

Online publication: 2013
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00