Chloride diffusion in marine pipe pile considering time-dependent surface chloride concentration: Experimental analysis and analytical model

Abstract

This study proposed a theoretical framework for an artificial marine environment and conducted chloride diffusion tests on pipe pile under this environment. Real port data were used to simulate the most severe corrosion splash zone, providing a guideline for subsequent researchers to simulate artificial marine environments. The study found that the impact of marine environment on chloride concentration in concrete was similar for both internal and surface concentrations, with splash zone being greater than tidal zone and greater than immersion zone. Additionally, a good exponential relationship was observed between surface chloride concentration and time. An analytical model for chloride diffusion in marine pipe pile considering time-dependent surface chloride concentration was proposed and evaluated for accuracy and applicability using FDM and test data. Its long-term applicability was validated through field data. The proposed theoretical framework and analytical model provide a useful tool for assessing the durability of pipe pile in marine environments.