Validation of models for assessment of durability of concrete structures exposed in the chloride road environment

Paper i proceeding, 2010

This paper presents validation of models for assessment of durability of concrete structures exposed in the chloride road environment. In the past years a number of models for durability design of concrete structures have been suggested by relevant organisations or international committees. It is necessary to validate these models against long-term field data for their applicability with respect to exposure climate in order to apply the models in the durability design and redesign of concrete structures. In this study, three models including the simple ERCF, the DuraCrete and the ClinConc, were evaluated using the measurement data collected from both the field exposure site after over 10 years exposure and the real road bridges of 25-30 years old. The sensitivity of input parameters in each model is analysed. The results show that, among different input parameters, the age factor n is the most sensitive one. The simple ERCF-model significantly overestimates chloride ingress. The DuraCrete model, if the input parameters are properly selected, may give a reasonably good prediction, otherwise often underestimates chloride ingress. The ClinConc model in general gives fairly good predictions for chloride ingress in de-icing salt road environment with heavy traffic at high speed.