A novel approach for predicting the corrosion rate of steel in concrete

Author(s): M. Pour-Ghaz, P. Ghods, O. Burkan Isgor
Paper category: Workshop
Book title: International RILEM Workshop on Integral Service Life Modelling of Concrete Structures
Editor(s): R.M. Ferreira, J. Gulikers, C. Andrade
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-058-5
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-090-5
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Pages: 351 - 358
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: 
During the last decade there has been a growing interest in developing mathematical models for predicting corrosion rate of steel in concrete structures. One of the reasons of this interest is to overcome the experimental difficulties associated with the corrosion measurement techniques. The models that are based on the solution of the Laplace’s equation are restricted to simple geometries due to the numerical difficulties associated with the nonlinear boundary conditions of the problem. The models that are based on empirical studies do not cover all the factors that may affect the corrosion process. In the present paper, a novel and practical model for predicting the corrosion rate of the steel reinforcement in concrete is introduced. This model is based on Stern-Geary equations and includes the effects of concrete properties and the environmental conditions on the corrosion rate. The influence of temperature, cover depth, concrete resistivity and the limiting current density are also incorporated in the model. A comprehensive vVerification study yielded excellent agreement with the experimental data and demonstrated the strength and the applicability of the developed model in different scenarios.

Keywords: Corrosion of steel in concrete, modelling, finite element method, virtual experiments

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