Open Access

ARTICLE

Coupling Effect of Cryogenic Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Chloride Ion Erosion Effect in Pre-Cracked Reinforced Concrete

by Yang Li, Sibo Jiang^*, Ruixin Lan

School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China

* Corresponding Author: Sibo Jiang. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Health Monitoring and Rapid Evaluation of Infrastructures)

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2024, 18(3), 255-276. https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2024.047776

Received 17 November 2023; Accepted 31 January 2024; Issue published 15 May 2024

Abstract

Chloride (Cl) ion erosion effects can seriously impact the safety and service life of marine liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks and other polar offshore structures. This study investigates the impact of different low-temperature cycles (20°C, –80°C, and −160°C) and concrete specimen crack widths (0, 0.3, and 0.6 mm) on the Cl ion diffusion performance through rapid erosion tests conducted on pre-cracked concrete. The results show that the minimum temperature and crack width of freeze-thaw cycles enhance the erosive effect of chloride ions. The Cl ion concentration and growth rate increased with the increasing crack width. Based on the experimental model and in accordance with Fick’s second law of diffusion, the Cl ion diffusion equation was modified by introducing correction factors in consideration of the freeze-thaw temperature, crack width, and their coupling effect. The experimental and fitting results obtained from this model can provide excellent reference for practical engineering applications.

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