Chemo-mechanical coupling model of off-shore concrete structures

Abstract

Seawater represents a complex phenomenon due to the presence of multiple ions. Previous researches aimed to estimate the resistance losses due to sulphate and chloride attacks based on probabilistic approaches. Few studies have focused on the complex chemo-mechanical modeling by coupling all the ions present in seawater and in concrete. In this study, the model proposed is based on the coupling between two codes CemPP- for the microstructure generation of the cementitious material, the evolution of the hydration and chemical reactions - and Cast3M - for the mechanical calculations and damage modeling. Results highlight the importance of considering each effect of cement paste’s ion reacting with seawater and their role on the overall mechanical behaviour of the structure affected by the chemical phases present at equilibrium.