Service Life Of Concrete Structures Research Articles

A Novel Method for Increasing the Concrete Resistance to Chloride Ions Erosion

Concrete structures generally play an important role in the infrastructure construction. The corrosion of reinforcing steels in concrete structures is one of the main causes of the degradation and reduction of their service life, especially when they are exposed to marine environment or de-icing salts. An understanding of the process of chloride transportation in concrete is of great importance for engineers to predict the service life of concrete structures. Therefore, we synthesized corrosion inhibitor for improving the chlorine resistance of concrete.

Enhancing the chloride ion penetration resistance of concrete using metal-organic frameworks

This study focuses on a novel technique to improve the resistance of cement-based concrete to chloride ion penetration by incorporating NH2-MIL-125(Ti) metal-organic frameworks (MOF) into the mix. The MOF was produced and assessed against its chloride adsorption capacity. Subsequently, it was added to cement-based concrete in proportions of 1 %, 3 %, and 5 %, by cement mass. The effect of incorporating MOF on the concrete resistance to chloride penetration, reaction kinetics, and compressive strength was investigated. The experimental results revealed that the NH2-MIL-125 (Ti) MOF effectively removed/adsorbed the chloride ions from sodium chloride solutions, with a maximum removal capacity of 31.5 % after 7 days of exposure. Furthermore, the depth and rate of chloride ion penetration into the concrete were reduced as the mass of MOF incorporated into the concrete mix increased. Yet, the efficiency of the MOF to reduce chloride penetration decreased over time, owing to its saturation by continuous exposure to chloride ions. Furthermore, the addition of up to 5 % MOF, by cement mass, had a limited impact (<10 %) on the concrete compressive strength but did not affect the hydration reaction. Owing to its small particle size, MOF strengthened the cement paste by reducing the volume of permeable voids. Such research findings highlight that MOF could be added to cement-based concrete to enhance its resistance to chloride ingress without significantly impacting its compressive strength. This novel approach can effectively impede chloride penetration, thereby delaying corrosion and extending the service life of concrete structures.

Effect of chloride binding behavior of cement hydration products on chloride critical value of steel corrosion in the presence of Na+ and Ca2+

To accurately predict the service life of concrete structures, the effect of chloride binding behavior of cement hydration products on steel corrosion should be taken into account. In this study, the steel specimen with cement paste coating were prepared to investigate the effect of chloride binding behavior on steel initial corrosion in the presence of Na+ and Ca2+. The results show that the higher pH level and Ca2+ concentration effectively inhibited the leaching C–S–H, while the Ca2+ increased the Ca/Si ratio of C–S–H, thereby enhancing the physical chloride binding capacity of cement paste coating in the CaCl2-Ns system (the addition of CaCl2 in NaOH solution). This enhancement primarily accounted for the higher critical value (Ccrit) of 0.03 mol/L in the CaCl2-Ns system, surpassing that of specimens exposed to other corrosion solutions, which was 0.01 mol/L. Both chloride ions from NaCl and CaCl2 could partially replace carbonate ions in monocarboaluminate (Mc), indicating that the cation type did not exert significant influence on chemical binding in this study.

MFRWA: A Multi-Frequency Rayleigh Wave Approximation Method for Concrete Carbonation Depth Evaluation

Carbonation depth is essential to determine the durability and predict the remaining service life of concrete structures. This study proposes a multi-frequency Rayleigh wave approximation method (MFRWA) to evaluate carbonation depth by exploiting the frequency-dependent penetration depths of ultrasonic Rayleigh waves. A series of numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the effective penetration depth of Rayleigh waves and the feasibility of the proposed MFRWA method on carbonation depth evaluation. Subsequently, the accelerated carbonation experiment is conducted to evaluate the carbonation depth using low-frequency and high-frequency Rayleigh waves, and the measured results from the Rayleigh wave method are compared with the ones from the phenolphthalein indicator and thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA) method. The results show that carbonation depth measured by Rayleigh wave method meets well with the one from TGA technique, demonstrating that the proposed method could provide a non-destructive and precise carbonation depth estimation. The proposed MFRWA method contributes a novel scheme for concrete carbonation evaluation and holds substantial potential in both laboratory and field applications.

The flexural strength of high-ductile concrete in saline-alkali area

Sulfate corrosion is an important cause of accelerated structural failure in concrete structures in coastal and saline alkali areas. High ductility concrete has good tensile and durability properties, and is therefore widely used for the repair and reinforcement of damaged structures. To investigate the flexural performance of high ductility concrete on ordinary concrete structures in saline alkali environments, experimental methods were used to test it. The experimental data validated that the bearing capacity of the 10 mm specimen reinforced with high ductility concrete before and after corrosion is 125 kN and 117 k, respectively. After reinforcement and corrosion, the bearing capacities of the specimens were 115 kN, 129 kN, and 139 kN, respectively. In addition, sodium sulfate reduced the deformation capacity of the original specimen by 13.9 %, but after reinforcement, the deformation capacity of the specimen increased by at least 97.1 %. Compared to reinforced specimens in non saline alkali environments, the deformation capacity of reinforced specimens in saline alkali environments decreases by no more than 23 %. Compared to unreinforced specimens, the strain capacity of reinforced concrete and longitudinal bars in sulfate environments increased by at least 28.1 % and 34.5 %, respectively. However, compared to reinforced specimens in conventional environments, the strain capacity of reinforced specimens in sulfate environments decreased by no more than 19 %. The above results indicate that high ductility concrete can effectively improve the bending resistance of specimens, while also slowing down the corrosion of sulfates on specimens and effectively extending the service life of concrete structures.

Enhancing concrete crack healing: Revealing the synergistic impacts of multicomponent microbial repair systems

Small cracks in concrete can develop into larger cracks, reducing the service life of concrete structures. Therefore, the early prevention of fine crack progression is crucial. In this study, a multimicrobial system composed of Bacillus megaterium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to repair concrete cracks, and its repair efficiency was evaluated through fracture healing observations, permeability tests, acoustic time value detection, and unconfined compressive strength tests. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to analyze the concrete repair mechanism of the multicomponent microbial system. The results showed that when the ratio of S. cerevisiae to B. megaterium in the microbial system was 30 %:70 %, the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) yield increased by 10 %, and the mineralization deposition effect was optimal. Under the synergistic action of the two microorganisms, fracture healing proceeded quickly and the pore structure within the fracture became denser, significantly improving the permeability and strength repair rates of the sample and reducing the pulse velocity. For cracks 1.5 mm in width, the permeability and strength repair rates were 63 % and 35.12 %, respectively. The pulse velocity was reduced from 140 µs to 65 µs. The crack filler is mainly composed of CaCO3 crystals 5–10 µm in size, and the total calcium content of the multicomponent repair system was as high as 39.5 %, which was significantly higher than that of the single component repair system (36.1 %). The results indicate that the multicomponent microbial repair system maintains a higher calcium precipitation activity in a high-strength alkaline concrete environment and produces denser CaCO3 deposits, indicating good repair ability. These repair properties improve the overall performance of concrete. This study confirms the strong potential of multimicrobial systems for efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly concrete crack repair.

Chloride ion permeability of concrete containing recycled composite powder from building demolition waste

Buildings in the marine environment are vulnerable to chloride ion erosion, which threatens the service life of concrete structures. To facilitate the application of concrete containing construction demolition waste in the marine environment, recycled composite powder concrete (RCPC) was prepared using recycled composite powder as cement substitute. The chloride ion permeability of RCPC was evaluated by chloride ion diffusion test and rapid chloride ion migration test (RCM). The chloride ion permeability of RCPC continued to enhance with growing content of recycled composite powder. During the immersion age, the surface chloride ion content of the samples containing recycled composite powder increased by an average of 18.3–65.3% over the control group, with a corresponding average increase in chloride ion diffusion coefficients ranging from 17.0% to 31.5%. The chloride ion migration coefficients in the RCM test raised by 9.5–24.7%. A series of microscopic tests such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) suggested that the total porosity increased by 11.9–29.5% with the addition of recycled composite powder. The chloride ion diffusion coefficients exhibited a linear increase with growing total porosity and porosity of capillary pores, whereas an exponential increase with the porosity of transitional pores. The poor reactivity of the recycled composite powder resulted in a looser microstructure and weakened chloride binding capacity, and these factors boosted chloride ion transport. A chloride ion diffusion model of RCPC considering the time dependence of chloride ion transport was developed, and the reliability of the model was verified by experimental data.

Effectiveness of Biological Mortars with Bacterial Glycocalyx on Service Life of Concrete Structures Exposed to Salt Attack

This study investigated the effectiveness and limitations of newly developed biological mortars regarding chloride ion diffusion resistance. Through several tests on the glycocalyx production capacity and growth potentials of bacteria cells under marine environments, Bacillus licheniformis was isolated and immobilized in the expanded vermiculites together with a bacterial culture medium for producing biological mortars. The chloride ion diffusion coefficient of the mortars up to 91 days was determined through natural diffusion cell tests. Subsequently, the service life of RC structure repaired with biological mortars under chloride attack was evaluated considering multilayer theory and time-dependent diffusion. The addition of expanded vermiculites immobilizing Bacillus licheniformis significantly reduced the chloride ion diffusion coefficient. When its addition increased from 10 to 30%, the chloride ion diffusion coefficient decreased by 50–90% compared to that of mortars without bacteria. The service life of reinforced concrete structures repaired with biological mortars containing 30% expanded vermiculite concentration and thickness of 50 mm was evaluated to be six times longer than that of repaired with conventional mortar. Overall, this novel approach holds significant potential in addressing the salt-induced deterioration challenges faced by RC structures.

Influence of Drying Conditions on the Durability of Concrete Subjected to the Combined Action of Chemical Attack and Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

The durability of concrete is critical for the service life of concrete structures, and it is influenced by various factors. This paper investigates the impact of the relative humidity (RH) of the curing environment on the durability of five different concrete types. The aim is to determine a suitable approach for designing concrete that is well-suited for use in the salt lake region of Inner Mongolia. The concrete types comprise ordinary Portland cement (OPC), high-strength expansive concrete (HSEC), high-strength expansive concrete incorporating silica fume, fly ash, and blast furnace slag (HSEC-SFB), steel fiber-reinforced high-strength expansive concrete (SFRHSEC), and high elastic modulus polyethylene fiber-reinforced high-strength expansive concrete (HFRHSEC). All these concrete types underwent a 180-day curing process at three distinct relative humidities (RH = 30%, 50%, and 95%) before being subjected to freeze-thaw cycles in the Inner Mongolia salt lake brine. The curing environment with a 95% RH is referred to as the standard condition. The experimental results reveal that the durability of OPC and HSEC decreases significantly with increasing relative humidity. In comparison with the control sample cured in 95% RH, the maximum freeze-thaw cycles for concrete cured in lower RHs are only 31% to 76% for OPC and 66% to 77% for HSEC. However, the sensitivity of the durability of HSEC-SFB, SFRHSEC, and HFRHSEC to variations in RH in the curing environment diminishes. In comparison with the corresponding reference value, the maximum freeze-thaw cycles for samples cured in dry conditions increase by 14% to 17% for HSEC-SFB and 21% for SFRHSEC. Specifically, the service life of HFRHSEC cured in a low RH is 25% to 46% higher than the reference value. The durability of HSEC-SFB, SFRHSEC, and HFRHSEC has been proven to be appropriate for structures located in the salt lake region of Inner Mongolia.

The comparative study of epoxy and bacterial injections for cracked concrete beam flexural strength

Cracks in concrete beams can significantly affect the performance of reinforced structures. To repair cracks in concrete, Traditional crack repair methods typically involve epoxy injection, but studies have suggested that epoxy may not fully restore the original strength. Therefore, concrete structure repair requires the development of new and more efficient materials. This study focuses on investigating the potential of Bacillus megaterium, a bacterium known for its self-healing properties in concrete. This bacterium has the capability to precipitate minerals like calcium carbonate, which can fill the cracks and increase the strength of concrete. Testing is carried out on reinforced concrete beams with existing cracks, sized at 100 mm x 100 mm x 500 mm. The specimens are divided into two groups, one repaired with epoxy injection and the other with bacterial injection, with varying additions of 10% and 15%. The research results show that the injection process with the addition of 15% bacteria is able to restore approximately 99.72% of the initial strength of the concrete beams. The results of this research contribute to the development of improved repair techniques that can restore the flexural strength of cracked concrete beams and extend the service life of concrete structures.

Performance of graphene oxide as a water-repellent coating nanomaterial to extend the service life of concrete structures

Surface treatments help to protect the built heritage against damage (environmental, accidental, etc.), reducing repair and restitution costs and increasing the useful life of building materials. The use of nanomaterials is currently the most important field of research in surface treatment technology for the preservation of building materials and, more specifically, to improve their durability and prevent their deterioration, extending their useful life. This paper studies the influence of a graphene oxide (GO) suspension as a surface treatment on the properties of concrete. The results indicate that, at best, surface treatment with GO can decrease both the water absorption and capillary absorption of concrete by about 15 %. The increase in the amount of GO deposited as a surface treatment leads to a further reduction in concrete water absorption. It is shown that, at best, GO coating also reduces water penetration at low and high pressures by approximately 20 % and 60 %, respectively. In addition, scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that GO surface treatment facilitates the hydration process and densifies the concrete microstructure. A simple aqueous suspension of GO is revealed as a tool with a high potential to protect concrete surfaces in a fast and cost-effective way, thanks to the easy application by spraying and the small amount of material needed to obtain great results.

Concrete Carbonation of Deep Burial Storage Constructions under Model Aging Conditions

To ensure the safe operation of concrete structures of deep-burial storages, it is necessary to research the degradation mechanisms of such structures. Concrete carbonation is one of the key factors determining the service life of concrete structures. Existing methods for the concrete carbonation process research at various stages of the building structure life cycle make it possible to conduct model tests in the shortest possible time by simulating the operational factors influencing the corrosion process development. The authors carried out model tests of concrete of deep-burial storages using the method of accelerated concrete carbonation and by taking into account the effects of elevated temperatures. When exposed to elevated temperatures during carbonation, concrete samples exhibit a decrease in compressive strength in the first 56 days of testing by an average of 1.6 MPa. However, by the end of the tests (168 days), the strength of concrete samples at elevated temperatures is on average 4 MPa higher. The microstructure and carbonation dynamics were studied by XRD, TGA and SEM. The data obtained in the research can be used to develop models for predicting the service life of concrete structures of deep-burial storages.

A review on corrosion of cement-based materials in CO2-rich karst groundwater

In karst areas, groundwater has high concentrations of carbon dioxide. It causes decalcification of cement-based materials by reacting with calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate. Therefore, the corrosion by CO2-rich groundwater has become a significant concern as it may reduce the service life of concrete structure. Based on the chemical reactions, the corrosion can be divided into leaching corrosion, carbonic acid corrosion, and acid corrosion. Calcium carbonate formation and dissolution are critical steps in corrosion process. The loss of calcium from cement results in cracking and spalling of the cement-based materials. The environmental and material factors had a significant effect on the corrosion rate. Based on the study in simulated karst water, adding supplementary cementitious materials or low-calcium alkali-activated materials can improve the corrosion resistance of the cementitious materials.

Effects of the early curing regime on the properties and pore structure of concrete in an environment with high altitudes and low atmospheric pressures

High altitudes have harsh, complex climates and changing environments. These conditions considerably challenge the service life of concrete structures. The engineering quality of concrete structures at high altitudes can be improved by scientific curing regimes; similarly, carbon emissions can be reduced throughout their life cycle. In this paper, the effect of the early curing environment on the macroscopic properties, microstructure, and hydration products of concrete realistically exposed to harsh environments (10–30 °C, RH 20–80 %, 70 kPa) of high altitude was studied. The mechanism of the effect of the early curing environment on the microstructure of the concrete at high altitudes was determined. The concrete performance at high altitudes was investigated regarding the enhancement mechanism of steam curing. At high altitudes, the deterioration of concrete properties was primarily caused by an increase in the percentage of pores sized between 20 and 200 nm and the total porosity. Appropriate steam curing can be employed to enhance concrete hydration in these areas. This process refines the pores in hardened cement paste at the micro-nano scale (20 nm–200 nm and 50 μm–100 μm), ultimately reducing total porosity. Additionally, it alleviates the “aging phenomenon” of the C–S–H gel, which is induced by the low atmospheric pressure environment. The comprehensive performance of concrete in high-altitude areas can be significantly improved by steam curing at 35 °C. Compared with the uncured and sprinkling curing cases, steam curing at 35 °C for 3 days increased the 28-day compressive strength of concrete exposed to the natural environment at high altitudes by 42.8 % and 23.5 %, respectively, reduced the 56-day drying shrinkage strain by 38.7 % and 38.5 %, respectively, and could significantly reduce the risk of concrete cracking at high altitudes.

Study on the Frost Resistance of Composite Limestone Powder Concrete against Coupling Effects of Sulfate Freeze–Thaw

Concrete in saline or coastal settings exposed to freezing temperatures is frequently affected by coupling actions of sulfate assault and freeze–thaw degradation, reducing the service life of concrete structures significantly. This study conducted an accelerated freeze–thaw cycle test in pure water and Na2SO4 solution with a mass proportion of 5% to examine the coupling impact of sulfate freeze–thaw on the frost resistance of composite limestone powder (CLP) concrete. Combined with SEM and XRD methods, the performance degradation mechanisms of composite limestone powder (CLP) concrete in coupling sulfate freeze–thaw conditions were analyzed with a microscopic point of view. The findings demonstrated that limestone powder has a filling effect but the activity is low. When the content is 10~20%, the chemical response is higher than the physical response. The pozzolanic effect of fly ash and slag can improve the pore structure and improve the compactness of concrete. The “superposition effect” of limestone powder, fly ash, and slag can improve the frost resistance of CLP concrete. The scenario of salt freezing cycles has negative effects that are worse than those of water freezing cycles on the antifreeze performance of CLP concrete, including apparent morphology, mass loss, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity, and compressive strength. Sulfate’s activation effect boosts slag’s activity effect, which significantly promotes the antifreeze performance of concrete subjected to salt frozen cycles over water frozen cycles. The freeze–thaw damage model of CLP concrete under coupling sulfate freeze–thaw is established through theorem analysis and experiment statistics, laying a theoretical framework for the popularization and use of this concrete.

On Mathematical Models of Degradation Processes According to ISO 16204 and fib Model Code

AbstractThe main factors affecting the service life of concrete structures are the presence of chloride ions and carbon dioxide, alternating frost action and mechanical stresses on the structure. In practice, these effects can be taken into account by using mathematical modelling of these phenomena. In this contribution, the authors focus on the processes of chloride ions and carbon dioxide (carbonation process) diffusion through concrete and the associated subsequent corrosion of reinforcement. Mathematical models recommended by the fib Model Code and ISO 16204 are described and the effect of simultaneous environmental and mechanical load on the service life of the structure is discussed. The models are used to study the residual service life of a simple reinforced concrete frame bridge based on the percentage loss of reinforcement area analysis over time.

Numerical modeling of chloride diffusion in cement-based materials considering calcium leaching and external sulfate attack

Chloride-induced corrosion of steel bars can shorten the service life of concrete structures in marine environment. Therefore, a numerical model that can accurately characterize the chloride diffusion in marine concrete can help to evaluate the service durability of structures. In this paper, a novel chloride diffusion model considering the coupling effect of calcium leaching and sulfate attack in cement-based materials is proposed. The model can not only simulate the increase of porosity structure and the desorption of bound chloride caused by calcium leaching, but also characterize the competitive antagonism between sulfate and chloride salts in cement-based matrix, which produces expansive products to fill pores and promotes the desorption of bound chloride. The proposed model was further developed in COMSOL, and verified by two groups of literature experimental data. Then, the verified model was applied to investigate the coupling effect of calcium leaching and external sulfate attack on chloride diffusion process in cement-based materials. The results show that the proposed model can effectively reproduce the chloride diffusion process in both groups of tests well. In contrast to the single influencing factor, the coupling effect of calcium leaching-sulfate attack on the chloride diffusion process in cement-based materials shows that there is a phenomenon of inhibiting chloride diffusion in the early stage of erosion, but it shows a promoting effect in the later stage. Compared with sulfate attack, calcium leaching always dominates the influence of chloride diffusion in cement-based matrix. Furthermore, considering the coupled effect of leaching-sulfate attack, the initial corrosion time of reinforced concrete is about 24.5% earlier than that without considering the coupling effect. Increasing the thickness of steel bar cover layer and reducing the initial porosity of matrix can effectively delay the occurrence of steel bar corrosion in cement-based matrix.

Chloride penetration in concrete with trilinear binding isotherm

Chloride binding in concrete is an important factor and it can significantly affect the penetration speed of chlorides in concrete and thus the service life of concrete structures. In this paper a new chloride binding isotherm is proposed to be included in the diffusion model of chlorides in concrete. Instead of the use of the traditional Freundlich or Langmuir isotherm, the present chloride binding model uses a trilinear function to describe the chloride binding in concrete. The trilinear binding isotherm not only reflects the nonlinear binding feature of chlorides in concrete when it is exposed to a chloride environment, but also makes it possible to achieve an analytical solution of the chloride diffusion equation. In the present paper, the superior of using trilinear binding isotherm to other binding isotherms is demonstrated. The detailed derivation of the analytical solution of the chloride diffusion equation with nonlinear binding feature is described and illustrated. To demonstrate the rationality and accuracy of the analytical solution derived, comparisons between the analytical solution and the numerical solution and experimental results are also provided. It is shown that the chloride diffusion profiles obtained from the chloride diffusion equation with the trilinear binding isotherm are much closer the experimental results than that obtained from the chloride diffusion equation with linear or bilinear binding isotherm.

Damage and Defects in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforced and Strengthened Concrete Elements

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to conventional civil engineering materials in existing structures as externally applied systems for strengthening purposes, and in new structures as internal reinforcements in the form of bars, meshes, and strands. The next phase of development in the application of FRPs in concrete structures could culminate in elements possessing both internal and external FRP systems simultaneously. With these advancements in the application of FRP in civil engineering, it is conceivable that traditional steel reinforcements could become obsolete in certain aggressive and hostile environments, such as coastal areas. Although higher durability and performance are associated with FRP materials in some respects when compared to steel, concerns remain regarding the damage and defects in this material, many of them related to their unique features. Regardless, similarly to other structural materials, it is necessary to understand the damage and defects associated with the use of FRP composites, as well as to identify their sources. This knowledge will support the positive prospects for FRP technology, promoting its application in civil infrastructure. Accordingly, this study investigated the types, characteristics, and identification of the observed or expected damage and defects associated with using FRP in reinforced and strengthened concrete elements. The damage was classified according to location and time of initiation. In addition, the sources of these defects and damage were determined, and a damage etiology was established for preventing the occurrence of such damage in future use. The results of this study are intended to provide the background for the development of a guide and training material for the inspection of structures that use FRP materials. The ability to inspect and properly maintain structures containing FRP will result in the enhanced durability and service life of concrete structures reinforced or strengthened with FRP materials.

A Review Paper on Bacterial Self-Healing Concrete

Abstract: Bacterial self-healing concrete (BSHC) has emerged as a promising technology in the field of construction materials due to its ability to autonomously repair cracks and enhance the durability and service life of concrete structures. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the strength properties of bacterial self-healing concrete. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the research conducted in this area, assess the effectiveness of bacterial selfhealing in improving the mechanical properties of concrete, and identify potential areas for future research.