Numerical modelling for predicting corrosion initiation life of reinforced concrete square piles under reverse-seepage pressure

Abstract

Square piles of reinforced concrete (RC) in marine environments are susceptible to chloride-induced corrosion. A novel reverse-seepage technique (RST) is applied to square piles to block the intrusion of chlorides. This research introduces a computational model designed to predict the lifespan of corrosion initiation in reinforced concrete square piles when applied reverse-seepage pressure. The model considers the impacts of chloride binding and the triple time-dependence property among the permeability, the corrected surface chloride concentration, and the diffusion coefficient. The proposed numerical model is solved using the alternating direction implicit (ADI) approach, and its accuracy and reliability are evaluated by contrasting the computational outcomes with the analytical solution and experimental results. Furthermore, the primary factors contributing to the corrosion of reinforced concrete square piles are analyzed. The results indicate that applying RST can decrease the chloride penetration depth and prolong the lifespan of corrosion initiation in square piles. The water-cement ratio and reverse seepage pressure are the most influential factors. A water pressure of 0.4 MPa can double the life of concrete, and the durable life of concrete with a water-cement ratio of 0.3 can reach 100 years.

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