Optimal Inspection approach for Reinforced Concrete

structures under Carbonation-induced corrosion risk

Authors: Pablo Benítez (pablo.benitez@ua.pt); Fernanda Rodrigues (mfrodrigues@ua.pt); Sergio Gavilán (ingsergiogavilan@gmail.com); Humberto Varum (hvarum@fe.up.pt)

The probability of failure by rebar corrosion is obtained from Eq. (1) and (2) applying Monte Carlo
Introduction simulation (MCS) and considering a critical rebar sectional-loss equal to 25%. Then, in order to preserve
the serviceability of the structure, Eq. (3) is applied for evaluating the probability of damage detection
Infrastructures are vulnerable to the interaction with the surrounding environment, leading to anomalies
before failure. This equation considers the inspections results at each intervention and the effect of not
which jeopardize its durability. Carbonation-induced corrosion is definitely a recognised source of
detecting the damage in time.
degradation in Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures, directly related to environmental parameters such
𝑃𝐵𝐹
as CO2, temperature and relative humidity. It is a natural process of reaction between the products of
the cement hydration and the atmospheric CO2 that leaves vulnerable the reinforcement of structures 𝑛 𝑗
to corrosion degradation. Several studies have shown that corrosion is one of the most expensive = 𝑃 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑖 ≤ 𝑇𝑓 . 𝑃𝑂𝐷 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑖−1 , 𝜌𝑖−1 . 𝑃𝑂𝐷 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑗 , 𝜌𝑗 (3)
cause of degradation of infrastructures worldwide. 𝑗=1 𝑖=1
Considering the above, maintenance of structures has engaged the interest of structural engineers Subsequently, a cost analysis is performed in order to formulate the optimal number of inspections that
since the end of the last century, introducing concepts and theories such as reliability, life-cycle results from the expected lowest total cost of the inspection planning. This analysis comprises both
analysis, and the adaptation of new materials to the durability requirements, among others. Therefore, inspection costs and failure costs which are determined by equations (4) and (5) respectively.
it is well known that maintenance strategies can be preserve the deterioration expenditures and, 𝑛
furthermore, extend the service life of infrastructures. 1
𝐶𝐼𝑁𝑆𝑃 = 𝐶𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝 . 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑖 (4)
The aim of this research is to present a study about the concrete structures degradation located in the 𝑖=1
1+𝑟
urban area of Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay. For that purpose, a set of real carbonation test 𝐶𝐹 = 𝛼𝑓 . 𝑃𝐵𝐹 (5)
reports (i.e. of building structures and not from laboratory tests) have been examined in order to
develop an analysis regarding the carbonation-induced degradation in this city. Then, as a solution for
Main results
the carbonation problem, an approach for the formulation of optimal number of inspection has been
applied with the scope of decrease the expected total cost of the interventions preserving a minimum The context of this research is highly influenced by uncertainties. Thus, several parameters of the
serviceability in the structure. equations considered are governed by a stochastic process that can be described by the normal
distribution of probabilities. These variables have been estimated and are summarized in Table 2, where
Case study – Carbonation in Paraguay the influence of three different inspections techniques (A, B, C) in the analysis has been considered.
The case study comprises a survey of 38 different buildings (public offices, schools, parking and Table 2. Values of random variables and deterministic parameters
unfinished constructions) located in the urban zone of Asunción. In Fig. 1 is presented some pictures of
Variable Units Mean Value Standard Deviation Distribution
the intervention, where the “colorless zone” represents the carbonated concrete. From a total of 206 𝐷0 cm 1.6 0.032 Lognormal
tests, results from carbonation depth and cover thickness for each structural elements are presented in 𝑣𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟 cm/year 0.0089 0.003 Lognormal
the Table below: 𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟 year 3.2 1.2 Lognormal
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
𝜂0.5 ; 𝜂0.5 ; 𝜂0.5 - 0.225 ; 0.175 ; 0.125 - Deterministic
Table 1. Results of carbonation tests performed in Asunción 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
𝜎0.5 ; 𝜎0.5 ; 𝜎0.5 - 0.0225 ; 0.0175 ; 0.0125 - Deterministic
Cover Thickness (mm) Carbonation depths (mm)
Structural N° of After performing 100.000 iterations in the MCS, the PDF for the time to failure has shown a mean value
element data Standard Standard
Mean Mean of 14.76 years and a standard deviation equal to 9.48 for a 6.48% of probability where the corrosion rate
Deviation Deviation
Beam 87 18.4 9.61 12.9 7.92 is the most influential parameter in the analysis, see Fig. 3(a). The probability of corrosion detection for
Column 88 19.2 10.78 17.6 10.07 each inspection technique according to the damage degree is presented in Fig. 3(b), where clearly a
Slab 31 12.2 5.52 12.0 technique with higher quality needs a lower intensity of damage for it to be detected. Results shown in
7.86
Fig. 3(c) are influenced by the previous one, where a better quality technique will require fewer
Performing a statistical analysis overall data, structures considered have shown a mean value for the inspections to detect corrosion damage before the failure occurs.
cover thickness equal to 18.9 mm with a standard deviation equal to 8.04 mm; and carbonation depth
(a) (b) (c)
mean value and its standard deviation equal to 16.5 mm and 7.25 mm respectively. However, the
statistical mode for the same parameters was 10 mm and 15 mm respectively, which means that, in
several cases, there is a carbonation depth value greater than the cover thickness, and taking into
account the carbonation effect on RC structures, it can be expected that those structures are under a
considerable corrosion risk.
Fig. 3. (a) Quality of the inspection technique; (b) Damage detection beforefailure (c) Probabilite of corrosion failure
DEGRADATION CONDITIONS Finally, Fig. 4 presents the cost analysis for the inspection technique A, where the optimal number of
inspections that results in the lower expected total cost is 6. Similarly, the analysis showed that
14.91% technique C needs just 5 inspections, however, the total cost is highest (340.57 units cost); while for
technique B, the optimal number of inspections was 7 and the total cost was 313.64. Therefore,
50.93%
depending on the availability of resources, the optimal planning of inspections can be formulated.
34.16%

Imminent Corrosion Corrosion Risk No Corrosion Risk

Fig. 1. Intervention of RC structures Fig. 2. Classification of corrosion risk conditions. Fig. 4. Cost analysis for Technique A – Optimal number of inspections.

Considering investigations findings regarding corrosion onset in RC structure due to carbonation

phenomenon, a classification of corrosion risk condition for the buildings assessed was performed and
Conclusions
results are depicted in Fig. 2. It has been found that almost half of these structures showed symptoms Carbonation-induced corrosion is a recognised and expensive degradation mechanism that affects
of corrosion and/or imminent corrosion onset. This last condition refers that carbonation front is at least several RC structures throughout the world. The analysis herein performed has found that almost half
of RC structures are damaged by this anomaly. In order to face this issue, an approach for determining
at 5 mm from the rebar surface and the corrosion initiation can be expected. Finally, it was possible to
the optimal number of inspections that preserves the serviceability of structures has been applied. This
calculate the real carbonation rate (𝑚𝑚. 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 −0.5 ) for these structures grouping them by its compressive
sort of studies is quite meaningful for both ensuring the durability and for saving money in the service
strength. There were: 3.83 (20 MPa); 3.31 (25 MPa); 1.75 (30 MPa); and 1.32 (40 MPa).
life cost of infrastructures.

Inspection planning strategy Acknowledgement

This research applies an optimal inspection planning approach based on previous studies [1,2] where This project has been funded with support of the European Commission. This
the quality of the inspection technique to detecting damage and the intervention before corrosion failure publication/communication reflects the view only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held
is addresed. The quality of inspection (POD) is evaluated as a function of the corrosion damage degree responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein - ELARCH program
(η), which in turn is a function of parameters relative to the reinforcement and the corrosion (Project Reference number: 552129-EM-1-2014-1-IT-ERA MUN-DUS-EMA21).
phenomenom.
𝑃𝑂𝐷 = Φ 𝑡
𝜂 − 𝜂0.5
(1)
References
𝜎
[1] Frangopol, Dan M., Kai-Yung Lin, and Allen C. Estes. 1997. “Life-Cycle Cost Design of Deteriorating
2. 𝜐𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑝−𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟
𝜂𝑡 = (2) Structures.” Journal of Structural Engineering 123(10): 1390–1401.
𝐷0 [2] Soliman, M., D. Frangopol, and S. Kim. 2013. “Probabilistic Optimum Inspection Planning of Steel
Bridges with Multiple Fatigue Sensitive Details.” Engineering Structures 49: 996–1006.

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