LIFE-SPAN SIMULATION AND DESIGN APPROACH FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

This paper provides an introduction to life-span simulation and numerical approach to support the performance design processes of reinforced concrete structures. An integrated computational system is proposed for life-span simulation of reinforced concrete. Conservation of moisture, carbon dioxide, oxygen, chloride, calcium and momentum is solved with hydration, carbonation, corrosion, ion dissolution. damage evolution and their thermodynamic/mechanical equilibrium. Coupled analysis of mass transport and damage mechanics associated with steel corrosion is presented for structural performance assessment of reinforced concrete. Multi-scale modeling of micro-pore formation and transport phenomena of moisture and ions are mutually linked for predicting the corrosion of reinforcement and volumetric changes. The interaction of crack propagation with corroded gel migration can also be simulated. Two finite element codes. multi-chemo physical simulation code (DuCOM) and nonlinear dynamic code of structural reinforced concrete (COM3) were combined together to form the integrated simulation system. This computational system was verified by the laboratory scale and large scale experiments of damaged reinforced concrete members under static loads, and has been applied to safety and serviceability assessment of existing structures. Based on the damage details predicted by the nonlinear finite element analytical system, the life-span-cost of RC structures including the original construction costs and the repairing costs for possible damage during the service life can be evaluated for design purpose.