Service-life performance of reinforced concrete structures in corrosive environments

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures in marine environments are susceptible to deterioration caused by corrosion of reinforcing steel. Various measures can be employed to protect RC structures against corrosion and prevent deterioration. The measures increase the initial cost of a RC structure but reduce costs associated with its future service life. Thus, a cost-effective solution can only be determined on a life-cycle cost basis. Obviously, results of a life-cycle cost analysis depend on the predictive models used to describe corrosion initiation, propagation, and corresponding deterioration. The paper examines the influence of various predictive models on results of life-cycle cost analysis. Serviceability failure due to excessive corrosion-induced cracking is considered.