An application of the Italcementi Group methodology for service life evaluation of marine concrete structures

Author(s): M. Borsa, G.L. Guerrini, S. Mansoutre
Paper category: Workshop
Book title: International RILEM Workshop on Performance Based Evaluation and Indicators for Concrete Durability
Editor(s): V. Baroghel-Bouny, C. Andrade, R. Torrent, K. Scrivener
ISBN: 978-2-912143-95-2
Pages: 177 - 184
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: 
The service life evaluation of a reinforced concrete structures, exposed in marine environment, is an important topic for who works within these problems.
The paper describes an example of application of the methodology, developed in a broad research program performed by Italcementi in Brindisi, concerning the evaluation of the durability of reinforced concrete structures exposed to a temperate marine environment (such as the Mediterranean Sea, for example) to a real case in Morocco. One of the main objectives of this approach is to provide an adequate tool for workers, in order to identify and quantify the properties that concrete must have to assure the durability in marine environment. Laboratory and real field tests have been developed with also a mathematical model that can predict the service life of concrete structure.
Based on the results of the experimental tests, the evaluation of the concrete structures durability has been performed using the mathematical model developed by Italcementi of Brindisi in collaboration with the University "Federico II" of Naples - Italy. The mathematical model can predict the service life of concrete structure, based on the position assessment of the chloride threshold level (chloride concentration at which the steel corrosion could start) into the concrete cover with time. It has been also considered the special microclimate of Casablanca in Morocco, where the concrete could be exposed, which could strongly influence the kinetics of this process.
Based on this approach, Betomar, a concrete producer of the Italcementi Group in Morocco, has started a study, in collaboration with the Italcementi of Brindisi (Italy), on the durability of new marine concrete structures.
Furthermore, a description of both the concrete formulates selection and of the natural and accelerated permeation tests performed, is given here. The influence of the water/cement ratio on the concrete performances is pointed out. First results of the service life of reinforced concrete structures exposed into submerged zone are reported, also pointing out th influence of the concrete mix design and performance on its long term durability.

Online publication: 2007
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00