Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Durability design of reinforced concrete structures: a comparison of the use of durability indexes in the deemed-to-satisfy approach and the full-probabilistic approach

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To show the application of the chloride conductivity index test in service life prediction (SLP) using both the deemed-to-satisfy and probabilistic approaches to performance-based durability design. It is desirable to adopt a performance-based approach with respect to durability design of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This is based on the perception that the durability of RC is achieved when the limiting value from an established test method is met. In South Africa, the durability index (DI) approach has been developed, which permits performance-based specifications for durability of RC. This approach involves the application of a test method together with a SLP model. This integrated approach links material properties directly with the expected service life of RC structures and environmental conditions. Two DIs are relevant to degradation processes in RC: the chloride conductivity index which is related to chloride ingress, and the oxygen permeability index related to carbonation. The study presented here focuses on the application of the chloride conductivity index as the main input parameter of a SLP model concerned with chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion. The methodology and output of the SLP model as applied in the deemed-to-satisfy approach are compared with those of the probabilistic approach. Both approaches are exemplified using a concrete pier cast in situ in a marine environment. The performance-based durability specifications from the deemed-to-satisfy approach are found to be more conservative compared to those of the probabilistic approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

P f :

Probability of failure

β target,ILS :

Target reliability at initiation limit state

P target,ILS :

Limiting probability of failure at initiation limit state

D i :

Diffusion coefficient (2-years)

CCT:

Chloride conductivity test

CDF:

Cumulative density function

DI:

Durability index

FORM:

First order reliability methods

ILS:

Initiation limit state

LSF:

Limit state function

LSM:

Limit states method

MCS:

Monte-Carlo simulation

RC:

Reinforced concrete

SLP:

Service life prediction

SLS:

Serviceability limit state

ULS:

Ultimate limit state

References

  1. Alexander MG, Mackechnie JR (2003) Concrete mixes for durable marine structures. J S Afr Inst Civil Eng 45(2):20–25 ISSN: 1021-2019

    Google Scholar 

  2. Alexander MG, Mackechnie JR, Ballim Y (1999) Guide to the use of durability indexes for achieving durability in concrete structures. Research Monograph No 2, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, p 35

  3. Alexander MG, Stanish K (2001) Durability design and specification of reinforced concrete structures using a multi-factor approach, Conference Proceedings in Honour of Sidney Mindess

  4. Alexander MG, Ballim Y, Stanish K (2007) A framework for use of durability indexes in performance-based design and specifications for reinforced concrete structures. Mater Struct J 41(5):921–936. doi:10.1617/s11527-007-9295-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bijen, J. (1996) Blast furnace slag cement. Den Haag CIP Royal Library

  6. Duracrete (2000) Statistical Quantification of the Variables in the Limit State Functions, The European Union—Brite EuRam III, Project BE95-1347/R9, Probabilistic Performance-Based Durability Design of Concrete Structures

  7. EN 1990 (2000) Eurocode: basis of structural design. British Standards Institution

  8. Faber MH, Sørensen JD (2002) Reliability based code calibration joint committee on structural safety. Paper for the Joint Committee on Structural Safety Draft

  9. fib Bulletin no. 34 (2006). Model code for service life design, p 206, ISBN 978-2-88394-074-1

  10. Gehlen C, Schiessl P (1999) 1999. Probability-based durability design for the Western-Scheldt Tunnel, Concrete Journal of the fib P1(2):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hasofer AM, Lind NC (1974) Exact and invariant second-moment code format. J Eng Mech Div, ASCE 100(1974):111–121

    Google Scholar 

  12. Holický M (2007) Probabilistic design of structures for durability, Proceedings of the SEMC Seminar

  13. ISO 13823 (2008) General principles on the design of structures for durability, ISO TC98/SC2, Final draft

  14. ISO 2394 (1998) General principles on reliability for structures for durability, p 73

  15. Liu PL, Der Kiureghian A (1990) Optimization algorithms for structural reliability. Struct Saf 9(1990):161–177

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  16. Liu Y, Weyers RE (1998) Modelling the time-to-corrosion cracking in chloride contaminated reinforced concrete structures. Am Concr Inst Mater J 95(6):675–681

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mackechnie JR (1996) Prediction of reinforced concrete durability in the marine environment, PhD Thesis, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

  18. Mackechnie JR (1997) Prediction of reinforced concrete durability in the marine environment, Research Monograph No. 1, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

  19. Mackechnie JR (1998) Observations from case studies of marine concrete structures. SAICE J 40(4):29–32

    Google Scholar 

  20. Mackechnie JR, Alexander MG (1997) Durability findings from case studies of marine concrete structures. Cement, Concr Aggreg 19(1):22–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Marchand J, Gernrd B, Delagrave A (1998) Ion transport mechanisms in cement-based materials. Mater Sci Concr 5(1998):307–400

    Google Scholar 

  22. Marteinsson B (2005) service life estimation in the design of buildings a development of the factor method, Doctoral Thesis, Department of Technology and Built Environment, University of Gävle, Sweden

  23. Melchers RE (1999) Structural reliability analysis and prediction, Wiley, Chichester, –XVIII; 437 ISBN 0-471-98324-1

  24. Muigai R (2008) Probabilistic modeling for durability design of reinforced concrete structures, MSc Thesis, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

  25. NordTest method (1995) NT build 443, Nordtest ISSN 0283—7153

  26. Phoon KK, Kulhawy FH, Grigoriu MD (2000) Reliability-based design for transmission line foundations. Comput Geotech 26(3–4):169–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Rackwitz R, Fiessler B (1978) Structural reliability under combined load sequences. Comput Struct 9(1978):489–494

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  28. Richardson MG (2002) Fundamentals of durable concrete, 1st edn. Spoon Press-Taylor and Francis group, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  29. Ronné PD (2005) Variation in cover to reinforcement: local and international trends, Concrete Beton, 111

  30. Rostam S (2005) Service life design of concrete structures-a challenge to designers as well as to owners. Asian J Civil Eng (Build Hous) 6(5):423–445

    Google Scholar 

  31. SANS 10100-2 (2005) South African national standard: the structural use of concrete, Part 2: materials and execution work, 3rd edn, pp. 66

  32. Sarja A, Vesikari E (1996) Durability design of concrete structures, 1st edn, Spon Press, London

  33. Stanish K, Alexander MG, Ballim Y (2006) Assessing the repeatability and reproducibility of South African durability index tests. J S Afr Inst Civil Eng 48(2):10–17

    Google Scholar 

  34. Streicher PE (1997) The development of a rapid chloride test for concrete and its use in engineering practice, PhD Thesis, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

  35. Tang L, Nilsson LO (1992) Rapid determination of the chloride diffusivity in concrete by applying an electric field. Am Concr Inst Mater J 89(1):49–53

    Google Scholar 

  36. Zhang J, Lounis Z (2006) Sensitivity analysis of simplified diffusion-based corrosion initiation model of concrete structures exposed to chlorides. Cement Concr Res 36(7):1312–1323

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa

    R. Muigai, P. Moyo & M. Alexander

Authors
  1. R. Muigai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Moyo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Alexander
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Muigai.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Muigai, R., Moyo, P. & Alexander, M. Durability design of reinforced concrete structures: a comparison of the use of durability indexes in the deemed-to-satisfy approach and the full-probabilistic approach. Mater Struct 45, 1233–1244 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9829-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9829-y

Keywords

Mathematics Subject Classification (2000)

Search

Navigation