Modeling electrochemical chloride extraction in surface carbonated concrete

Abstract

This paper investigated the Electrochemical Chloride Extraction (ECE) process in concrete with carbonated surface layers. First, the ECE model for surface carbonated concrete was proposed based on pore size distribution function. Subsequently, to validate the model, concrete cube specimens exposed to natural coastal environments were modified and designed for ECE tests. Based on the validated ECE model, parametric studies were conducted. Parametric studies show that increasing the thickness of the surface carbonation layer up to 20 mm leads to a 57% increase in extraction duration, whereas the thickness of the partially carbonated zone has a relatively minor impact on the ECE process. The parametric study shows that the surface carbonated zone will pose hindrances to the extraction of chloride ions. Due to the simultaneous presence of concrete carbonation and chloride ion ingress in the actual marine atmospheric environment, considering the actual carbonation depth is of significant importance for predicting chloride ion migration during Electrochemical Chloride Extraction.