On the Implementation of Fuzzy Arithmetic for Prediction Model Equation of Corrosion Initiation

Abstract

For critical structures and application, where a given reliability must be met, it is necessary to account for uncertainties and variability in material properties, structural parameters affecting the corrosion process, in addition to the statistical and decision uncertainties. This paper presents an approach to the fuzzy arithmetic based modeling of the chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement in concrete structures that takes into account the uncertainties in the physical models of chloride penetration into concrete and corrosion of steel reinforcement, as well as the uncertainties in the governing parameters, including concrete diffusivity, concrete cover depth, surface chloride concentration and critical chloride level for corrosion initiation. The parameters of the models are regarded as fuzzy numbers with proper membership function adapted to statistical data of the governing parameters and the fuzziness of the corrosion time is determined by the fuzzy arithmetic of interval arithmetic and extension principle