Difficulties encountered in the derivation of performance criteria for reinforced concrete structures based on degradation models

Author(s): J. Gulikers, I. S. Oslakovic
Paper category: Workshop
Book title: RILEM International workshop on performance-based specification and control of concrete durability
Editor(s): D. Bjegović, H. Beushausen, M. Serdar
ISBN: 978-2-35158-135-3
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-136-0
Pages: 309 - 316
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: 
During recent years several researchers have promoted the introduction of a performance-based approach for durability design of reinforced concrete structures. One of the major reasons is that the currently used deemed-to-satisfy requirements are considered too restrictive for both the concrete producer and the contractor regarding concrete mix design. Ideally, a performance-based approach would result in complete freedom with respect to concrete composition and cover depth, provided that the overall durability requirements of concrete structure or element will be fulfilled.
However, it is anticipated that this will introduce serious problems as there is no consensus on the most appropriate degradation model to be employed, e.g. for carbonation or chloride induced corrosion, the overall durability requirement expressed by the acceptable probability of depassivation, and the statistical characterization of the input parameters.
In this paper the difficulties envisaged will be exemplified by the use of the models included in the fib Model Code 2010. The examples of carbonation induced corrosion are worked out, the results of a deterministic calculation are opposed to a full probabilistic calculation, as well as a presentation is given of the influence of single parameters on the overall result demonstrating that a probabilistic approach will become prone to manipulation of the input as to eventually achieve the desired output.

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