Discussion of the evolution of the chloride migration coefficient of Portland cement concrete tested by the rapid chloride migration (RCM) test at long-term curing periods up to 5 years
Chloride-induced corrosion of reinforced concrete is one of the main deterioration mechanisms leading to shortening of the service life of concrete structures. Therefore, assessment of the resistance of concrete to chloride ingress plays an important role in predicting the service life of such structures. The Rapid Chloride Migration (RCM) test is one of the accelerated test methods commonly used in Europe. It is commonly assumed that for a properly cured Portland cement concrete without degradation, the chloride migration coefficient should decrease with increasing curing age due to on-going hydration and microstructure densification. However, recent experiments show that the rapid chloride migration coefficient of Portland cement concrete decreases at early curing age, but increases at later curing ages up to 5 years. In this paper, the evolution of the rapid chloride migration coefficient of Portland cement concrete during long-term curing periods up to 5 years is discussed. The test conditions for the RCM test and the test results obtained from RCM tests are described. Finally, possible causes for the increase in DRCM that occurred during late curing of the samples are investigated in order to explain this increase.
SERVICE LIFE PREDICTION OF EXISTING CONCRETE STRUCTURES EXPOSED TO MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Deterioration of reinforced concrete structures due to chloride ingress followed by reinforcement corrosion is a serious problem all over the world. Service life predictions, both for existing and planned structures, are therefore of great importance. In the present paper, a practical model for predicting service life in existing structures is presented. The model is based on Fick's second law of diffusion combined with empirical results from existing structures and laboratory tests. The mathematical model may be utilized in different situations as described in the original report. This paper details the most common situations. The model can be used as it is; however, more data has to be collected to refine the model and thereby give better predictions in the future. Such data should be collected in a formal manner to fit into the model.
A New Vacuum Pressure Infiltration CFRP Method and Preparation Experimental Study of Composite
In order to prepare a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite (CFRP) with ideal microstructure and properties, a new vacuum pressure infiltration CFRP method is proposed based on an analysis of existing CFRP preparation process methods. Research on composite material preparation systems was carried out by using this new method principle. The system mainly includes a fiber pre-forming module, a vacuum heating infiltration module, a hot-press curing molding module, and a data acquisition control module. Under the conditions of natural curing at 0 MPa + 6 h + 25 °C, vacuum heating curing at –0.05 MPa + 30 min + 80 °C, and hot-press curing at 0.7 MPa + 5 min + 50 °C, a two-dimensional (2D) CFRP with excellent microstructure and properties was successfully prepared. Observing the microstructure of the prepared composite material, it can be found that the inside of the composite material was sufficiently and uniformly infiltrated, and common preparation defects such as holes and delamination were effectively controlled. Through the performance test, the bending strength of the material reached 790 MPa.