Prediction of the Chloride

Ingress into Concrete

 Aggressive chloride ions
penetrate the concrete
cover

Corrosion of the steel

reinforcement

Inspiration Need to design for service

life in a more efficient way
of the
research
project
Development of mathematical
models that predict the chloride
ingress into concrete
 The chloride ingress models are usually divided into two categories:

Prediction  Empirical models: predict the chloride ingress into concrete using
analytical or numerical solutions based on Fick’s 2nd law of diffusion
Models  Physical models: describe the chloride transport and chloride
binding use physical expressions based either on Fick’s 1st or 2nd law
of diffusion or the Nernst-Planck flow equation

Fick's second law predicts how diffusion causes the concentration to

change with time. It is a partial differential equation which in one
dimension reads:
𝜕𝜑 𝜕2𝜑
= 𝐷×
𝜕𝑡 𝜕 𝑥2
Where:

φ: is the concentration in dimensions of [(amount of substance) ×

length-3], example mol/m 3
φ = φ(x, t): is a function that depends on location x and time t

t: is time [s]

D: is the diffusion coefficient in dimensions of [length 2 × time -1],

example m 2/s

x: is the position [length], typically mm

The fib Model The fib model is a design method which utilizes Fick’s 2nd
Law of diffusion to compare the chloride concentration in
concrete along the depth of the concrete cover at a
certain time, to the critical chloride content indicated for
the reinforcement. The fib model is described by the
following mathematical expression:

x
a) Ccrit = C(𝑥, t) = Cs × 1−erf
2 × Dapp,C × t

b) Dapp,C = ke × DRCM,0 × kt ×A(t)

1 1
c) Ke = exp be +
Tref Treal
t0 α
d) A(t)= t
 The ClinConc model utilizes a genuine flux equation that
The ClinConc follows the principle of Fick’s 2nd law in order to simulate the

Model free chloride infiltration in concrete, with the free chloride

content as the driving force, and also taking into
consideration the chloride binding with the hydration
products of concrete.

ε × cf +cb
a. Ctotal =
Bc
x
b. cf = 1 – erf
1−n t ex 1 − n × t n × t
2 × KD × D0 1 + t tex − 6𝑚
1−n t t

Wgel6m
c. cb = ft × kOH6m × × kTb × fb × 𝑐 βb
1000ε6m

0.8at2 − 2at+ 2.5 × 1+0.59Kb6m × kTD

d. D0 = × D6m
β
1 + kOH6m × Kb6m kTb × βb × cs
b − 1
35.45

e. n = - 0.45at 2 + 0.66a t + 0.02

Challenges

1 2 3
Very complex and Environmental Implementation of
technical subject applicability the mathematical
expressions

Extensive research Development of Improved IT skills

coefficient to
account for
randomness
 Sensitivity
assessment
of fib
 Sensitivity
assessment
of ClinConc
 Comparison
between the
Predictions made
by fib and
ClinConc to the
field data for the
splash zone
 Comparison
between the
Predictions made by
fib and ClinConc to
the field data for the
tidal zone
 Comparison
between the
Predictions
made by fib
and ClinConc to
the field data
for the
submerged
zone
Conclusions

 Chloride ingress posses a very serious danger especially for submerged

conditions and therefore it should be considered as a great factor when
designing for service life.

 The parameters with higher sensitivity should be used with extra caution
and accuracy

 The prediction models need to be calibrated with long period exposure

data
 Handling large Increased
Effective time Improved
Acquired management research skills
amounts of
data resilience

strengths
and skills
Thank you!