SERVICE LIFE PREDICTION OF EXISTING CONCRETE STRUCTURES EXPOSED TO MARINE-ENVIRONMENT

Deterioration of reinforced concrete structures due to chloride ingres s followed by reinforcement corrosion is a serious problem all over th e world. Service life predictions, both for existing and planned struc tures, are therefore of great importance. In the present paper, a prac tical model for predicting service life in existing structures is pres ented. The model is based on Fick's second law of diffusion combined w ith empirical results from existing structures and laboratory tests. T he mathematical model may be utilized in different situations as descr ibed in the original report.(1) In this paper, the most common situati ons are detailed. The model can be used as it is. However, more data h as to be collected to refine the model and thereby give better predict ions in the future. Such data should be collected in a standardized wa y to fit into the model.