New Model for Natural Carbonation Prediction in Reinforced Concrete – Concept and Validation on Chemical Admixtures

A new model for prediction of natural carbonation in reinforced concrete structures has recently been developed and presented in (Ekolu, 2018). For brevity, the model is referred to as ESS model. It employs concrete strength as the primary property depicting core carbonation behaviour of any given concrete while other factors induce secondary influence. Chemical admixtures in concrete significantly influence concrete behaviour. Using experimental data from the literature (Dan-Herrera et al., 2015), the model behaviour is verified under use of various types of chemical admixtures of concrete including internal curing, shrinkage reducing, viscosity modifying, and high range water reducing admixtures. Class F fly ash was also used in the concrete mixtures as a supplementary cementitious material. Verification results show the model predictions to be meaningful and consistent with robustness