Prediction Methodology for the Service Life of Concrete Structures in Marine Environment: From Materials to Performance

The conventional method for analyzing the durability of concrete structures is complex and time-consuming. The values of durability parameters are closely linked with the specific mix proportions of concrete and its service environment. For a reliable service life assessment, it is crucial to accurately determine critical physical indicators within the design model, such as the chloride diffusion coefficient, the time-dependent index of chloride diffusion coefficient, and the critical chloride concentration. However, efficiently and reliably deriving these physical parameters remains a significant challenge. This study develops three-dimensional (3D) heterogeneous models of cement-based materials from the microscale to the mesoscale to quantitatively calculate the chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete at the macroscale. Then, a dataset containing more than 2000 groups of marine concrete was analyzed to reliably determine the values and distribution types of relevant durability parameters. Finally, service life evaluations based on the theoretical model of chloride diffusion and reliability theory are applied to the marine concrete structure in Northeast Asia. This methodology bypasses the lengthy process of conventional exposure testing, demonstrating enhanced efficiency and providing a novel approach to the durability assessment of concrete structures in the marine environment.