Depassivation time estimation in reinforced concrete structures exposed to chloride ingress: A probabilistic approach

Abstract

Estimation of depassivation time is a key issue in corrosion prevention. A method to get a probabilistic model from a deterministic one is presented and applied to three simple models: square root of time (SRT), error function (EF) and constant flux (CF) models. Probability distributions of the involved random variables are needed as input parameters. Experimental data have been obtained from a concrete structure exposed to the atmospheric marine environment. These data are analysed to obtain the probability distributions of chloride transport parameters: penetration velocity k (SRT model), diffusion coefficient D (EF and CF models), surface chloride concentration CS (EF model), and chloride ingress flux J (CF model). These distributions are used to calculate the depassivation time probability distributions according to the three models and the orientation of the samples respect to the sea. This allows to estimate depassivation time for a given depassivation probability.