Life cycle embodied energy analysis of RC structures considering chloride-induced corrosion in seismic regions

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures consume large amounts of energy supply and cause continuing pollution. During the life cycle of RC structures, operating and embodied energy are significant contributors to the whole energy demand. The embodied energy is smaller than the operating energy but its proportion in the total life-cycle energy is increasing. Present study presented a life cycle embodied energy assessment (LCEEA) framework for a typical RC structures in seismic regions. First, numerical model to calculate the seismic response of corroded RC structures was established and verified. It shows that the numerical model together with zero-length section element and the suitable material model could predict the seismic responses of RC columns well. Then, seismic fragility was calculated using probabilistic seismic demand model. The embodied energy consumed in repair were calculated in detail for different damage levels. Finally, the life cycle embodied energy was obtained. Influences of chloride-induced corrosion on the life-cycle embodied energy (LCEE) were analyzed. The proposed assessment frame and calculated results show that the chloride-induced corrosion increase the life cycle embodied energy obviously, especially for the strong earthquake. Furthermore, increase in the embodied energy due to the corrosion was larger if the facilities were considered.