Durability of lining concrete of subsea tunnel under combined action of freeze-thaw cycle and carbonation

Abstract

Through the fast freeze-thaw cycle test, accelerated carbonation test, and natural carbonation test, the durability performance of lining concrete under combined action of freeze-thaw cycle and carbonation were studied. The experimental results indicate that freeze-thaw cycle apparently accelerates the process of concrete carbonation and carbonation deteriorates the freeze resistance of concrete. Under the combined action of freeze-thaw cycle and carbonation, the durability of lining concrete decreases. The carbonation depth of lining concrete at tunnel openings under freeze-thaw cycles and tunnel condition was predicted. For the high performance concrete with proposed mix ratio, the lining concrete tends to be unsafe because predicted carbonation depth exceeds the thickness of reinforced concrete protective coating. Adopting other measurements simultaneously to improve the durability of lining concrete at the tunnel openings is essential.