Issue 56

N. Miloudi et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 56 (2021) 94-114; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.56.08

Erf(.) is the error function defined by McGee [25]:

  

  

3

5

7

2

2 1.x 1.x 1.x 1.x

 x t 0 e

 

2







   

(22)

erf x

dt

0!.1 1!.3 2!.5 3!.7

π

π

The diffusion coefficient of chlorides D cl depends mainly on the composition of the concrete. It is influenced by the mixing proportions (water, aggregate and cement), by the environment (relative humidity and temperature) and is variable as a function of time, as given by Duracrete [15]:

t

t

  0  n D t ( ) k .k .k .D . ( ) t t 0 0 cl e t c 0

 

n



(23)

cl D t

ini

ini

where: D 0 : Diffusion coefficient effected at the reference time t 0 (m 2 /s) ; k e : Factor taking into account the characteristics of the environment ; k t : Factor used to determine D 0 ;

k c : Factor taking into account the cure time ; t 0 : Time for which D 0 was measured (days) ; n : Aging factor.

Corrosion is initiated when the concentration of chloride ions C(x,t) reaches the threshold limit or critical concentration C cr , and the carbonation depth (x) reaches the concrete cover (e). This combined effect of chlorides and carbonation leads to a depassivation of steel reinforcement. The result is:

1 2 1 n

 

   

   

  

   

  

 

  

  

2

C

e

 erf 1 1

cr





(24)

t

ini

n

C

e t c 4k k k D (t ) 0 0

 

s

Note that the diffusion coefficient of chlorides D cl is expressed mainly in 10 -12 m 2 /s or more rarely in [mm 2 /year]. The units should be consistent with those of depth x and time t.

P RACTICAL APPLICATION

T

he practical application presented here concerns the analysis of an elevated water storage tank with a capacity of 200 m 3 posed on a pedestal (tower support) (Fig. 4). The geometric characteristics of the tank are shown in Tab. 1.

Figure 4: The studied elevated tank with the adopted reinforcement of the pedestal in a very high seismicity zone.

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