Modeling of the Spatial variability for Concrete Structures

Authors

Vasiliki Malioka and Michael H. Faber

Abstract

Concrete characteristics e.g. diffusivity, critical chloride concentration etc., exhibit a spatial variability due to the variability of batches and workmanship during the construction of a structure. Therefore corrosion initiation and propagation are spatially variable and thus the structural and serviceability performance of the structure are influenced accordingly. Over the last decade research in the development of probabilistic models for predicting structural degradation has been mainly directed towards the prediction of localized degradation. In this paper the spatial variability of concrete characteristics is taken into account in the prediction of degradation by introducing a random field approach. Based on existing measurements a correlation analysis is carried out to divide a structural element into smaller zones, grid squares or orthogonal zones depending on the area under examination. These form the locations of future inspections, the indications of which are used further for assessing the probability that a certain percentage of the structure exhibits degradation at a specified point in time.

Published in/by

Proceedings IABMAS'04, 2nd International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, Kyoto, Japan, October 18-22, 2004.