Development of performance criteria for durability design of reinforced concrete structures based on a probabilistic approach

Authors: J. Gulikers
Paper category: conference
Book title: Concrete Durability and Service Life Planning – ConcreteLife’09
Editor(s): K. Kovler
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-074-5
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-085-1
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2009
Pages: 392 – 399
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: There is a clear trend towards design for durability of reinforced concrete structures using probabilistic modelling. However, practitioners dealing with real structures consider such an advanced approach to be useful for scientists only. Although a probabilistic approach is essentially correct, the observed lack of a sufficient amount of reliable statistical data on input parameters as well as an objective use of this data will limit widespread application in practice. In this paper an attempt is made to prevent erroneous use and to overcome pitfalls by developing a pragmatic design tool for chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion based on the evaluation of a significant number of probabilistic calculations, taking into account the variability of all model parameters. Eventually, this exercise has resulted in simpler formulas to describe the relationship between the quantity and the quality of the concrete cover for 3 practical levels of probability of corrosion initiation, Pi = 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20. Using these formulas, for any arbitrary choice of design cover depth the corresponding apparent chloride diffusion coefficient can be calculated, the combination corresponding to the desired probability level being within an acceptable range for most situations.

Online publication: 2012-05-16
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00