Evaluation of the diffusion model considering the variation in time of the chloride content of the concrete surface

This work aims to evaluate the increase in the rate of chloride deposition on the concrete surface (Cs) ex-osed to marine environment, on time, and evaluate the diffusion model which considers this condition. For that, an analysis and comparison were undertaken among the chloride profiles in tetrapods located in the southern most area of Brazil, obtained from samples extracted at 5 years (December/2002) and 9,5 years (July/2007) from four micro environments, located in different exposure areas. The analysis showed that profiles at an older age, e.g. 9.5 years, present better definition in the curves than profiles at 5 years. A model has been developed for each age of measured profiles for each micro environment, taking into account the variation in Cs since it increased significantly from 5 to 9.5 years. The model obtained from the profile at 5 years was used to estimate the profile at the age of 9.5 years, which has been compared with the measured profile at this age. The same procedure was carried out to the profile measured at 9.5 years, that is, the profile at 5 years was estimated and compared with the profile measured at the same age. Thus it was possible to observe the efficiency of the utilised model: the profiles of approximately 5 years are inadequate to be used as an estimative of residual life cycle of a structure, even if the Cs variation is taken into account. On the other hand, profiles with approximately 10 years can be utilised considering that these profiles can still have their Cs values increased. Moreover, the environment investigated showed great aggressivity, reaching high chloride percentages. This is an important fact since, if the concrete is considered as reinforced, steel depassivation would have been reached. Future activities for this research include an older age, evaluating the behaviour of the curves and the efficiency of the suggested model.

Durability; tetrapods; chlorides; concrete; diffusion