Corrosion initiation life and lateral bearing capacity of RC square piles considering different corrosion zones

Abstract

This paper analyzes the differences in the corrosion initiation life and lateral bearing capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) square piles in different marine corrosion zones. A chloride diffusion model is presented by considering the effect of environmental factors on the chloride apparent diffusion coefficient. Different surface chloride concentration models in different corrosion zones are used to predict the corrosion initiation life of RC square piles. The time-dependent degradation law of bending stiffness of RC square piles in different marine corrosion zones is investigated. The lateral bearing capacity of RC square piles with different bending stiffness reductions in different corrosion zones is analyzed. The analysis results show that the corrosion initiation life of RC square piles decreases sequentially in the atmospheric zone, submerged zone, and tidal and splash zones. At the same exposure time, the stiffness reduction coefficient in the tidal and splash zones is the smallest, compared with atmospheric zone and submerged zone. The maximum lateral displacement, bending moment and negative shear force of RC square piles with variable stiffness are greater than those of invariable stiffness piles in different corrosion zones.