Concrete Performance in Relation To The Exposure Zones in The Marine Environment

Revised Edition: 2009-16-11
CONCRETE PERFORMANCE IN RELATION TO THE EXPOSURE

ZONES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Irina Stipanovic Oslakovic (1), Dubravka Bjegovic (2,3), Marijana Serdar (2)

(1) University of Twente, Engineering Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands
(2) University of Zagreb, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department for Materials, Zagreb,
Croatia
(3) Institut IGH d.d., Zagreb Croatia
Paper ID Number (given by the organizers): 152..
Keywords: chlorides, concrete, diffusion coefficient, exposure zones.
Author contacts
Authors E-Mail Fax Postal address
I. Stipanovic
Oslakovic
I.Stipanovic@utwente.nl
+31 53 489 25
11
University of Twente
Construction Management
& Engineering
P.O.Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
D. Bjegovic
Dubravka.bjegovic@igh.hr
Dubravka@grad.hr
+385 1 4828
051
Faculty of Civil
Engineering
Department for Materials,
10000 Zagreb,
Croatia
M. Serdar mserdar@grad.hr
+385 1 4828
051

Contact person for the paper: Irina Stipanovic Oslakovic (First A. Author)
Presenter of the paper during the Conference: Irina Stipanovic Oslakovic (First A. Author)

11
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the licence to publish excluded):
8

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For publication in the 2
nd
international conference on Microstructure related Durability properties of Cementitious
Composites, Amsterdam, 11-13 April 2012 the corresponding undersigned author submitted an article entitled:
CONCRETE PERFORMANCE IN RELATION TO THE EXPOSURE ZONES IN THE MARINE
ENVIRONMENT _____________________________________________________________________
Authored by (listed in order for each author, with Surname + Initial given name):
Stipanovic Oslakovic, I., Bjegovic, D., Serdar, M. ___________________________________________
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Date: 20-10-2011..
Corresponding author's hand-written signature: Corresponding authors name: I. STIPANOVIC OSLAKOVIC.


CONCRETE PERFORMANCE IN RELATION TO THE EXPOSURE
ZONES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Irina Stipanovi Oslakovi (1), Dubravka Bjegovi (2,3), Marijana Serdar (2)

(1) University of Twente, Engineering Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands
(2) University of Zagreb, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department for Materials, Zagreb,
Croatia
(3) Institut IGH d.d., Zagreb Croatia

Abstract
An extended condition survey was performed on reinforced concrete columns, which were
a part of the marine structure at the Adriatic coast and submerged in the sea for more than 30
years. After the extraction of columns from the sea, numerous testing were performed in order
to determine physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the concrete. Based on the
visual assessment of the columns condition, geometry and chloride determination, they were
assigned with five exposure zones: splashing zone, tidal zone, and three submerged zones
different in geometrical shape and orientation, in order to determine intensity and influence of
the sea action.
Within this paper the results of chloride content determination, chloride profiles and
calculation of diffusion coefficients related to the exposure zones are presented. Chloride
surface concentrations are discussed further and statistically analysed with the aim to define
chlorides as an environmental load to concrete structures.
Splashing and tidal zone, as expected, have the highest chloride concentrations and the
highest dissipation of results, while submerged zones unexpectedly have shown a dependence
of surface chloride concentration on the structural geometry shape. Correction factors for the
chloride surface concentrations in relation to the geometry of the concrete elements are
suggested for the first time, which should be included during design stage and calculation of
durability properties of concrete elements in submerged zones. Based on this preliminary
research results recommendations for the future research work are given.

1. INTRODUCTION
History of reinforced concrete structures gives numerous examples of deteriorated
structures, due to different chemical and physical degradation processes such as carbonation,
ingress of chlorides, freeze-thaw cycles, alkali-aggregate reactions, etc. The results of

assessing structures around the world have shown that chloride action is one of the most
aggressive ones for reinforced concrete structures. [1, 2]
Chlorides are penetrating into the hardened concrete through various mechanisms of
transport: absorption, diffusion, permeation of salty water caused by hydrostatic pressure,
electro migration, and usually as a combination of several transport mechanism but with one
mechanism as the dominant one. Once the process of chloride ions ingress begins, its progress
depends on many factors, such as density and quality of the concrete, quantity of water in
concrete pores, temperature, presence of cracks and their distribution and size, etc. [3]
Within this paper the results of case study research performed on the concrete columns,
which were a part of marine structure at the Adriatic coast are presented. The assessment of
concrete has included chloride content determination, chloride profiles and calculation of
diffusion coefficients related to the exposure zones. Chloride surface concentrations are
discussed further and statistically analysed with the aim to define chlorides as an
environmental load to concrete structures, especially for the submerged concrete structures.
2. GENERALLY ON STRUCTURE
About 30 years ago reinforced concrete dock columns were produced and placed into the
sea in the Croatian yacht marine near Zadar, at the Adriatic coast, with the average
temperatures and precipitation typical for Mediterranean climate, as shown in table 1. The
composition of the Adriatic sea is given in table 2. During the year 2003 dock columns were
pulled out from the sea during the reconstruction of the marine, while a detailed inspection
and evaluation of present condition were performed [4-6]. Concrete quality on compressive
strength was designed at 30 MPa (MB30/C25). Columns have variable longitudinal and
transversal cross section, with total height of 5.15 meter, as shown in figures 1. Measured
thicknesses of concrete cover are between 30 and 60 mm. Figure 1 shows columns after they
were extracted from the sea, while.

Table 1: Exposure conditions for the location of Zadar, Adriatic coast
Month I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Year
Number of days
with precipitation
10 9 9 9 9 7 6 5 8 11 11 11 105
Average
temperature (C)
6.7 7.3 9.4 13.7 18.4 22.3 25 24.4 21.2 16.6 11.1 7.7 15.3
RH (%) 76 74 75 73 75 72 68 70 75 75 75 75 73.6

Table 2: Chemical composition of the
Adriatic sea
Component Concentration (g/l)
S0
4
2-
2.97
Mg
2+
1.42
Ca
2+
0.46
Na
+
21.25
K
+
0.39
Figure 1: Column pulled out from the sea

3. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Research on the reinforced concrete dock columns was performed on site and in the
laboratory on samples (concrete cores and dust) taken out by drilling from the structures.
Visual inspection of columns, extracted directly from the sea, had shown deterioration
differences on concrete surface which lead to zoning of the columns, respecting as well the
geometry and shape. Columns were divided into five zones: A, B, C, D and E. The aim was to
clearly dispense intensity and influence of sea action on columns. Zone A was designated as
splashing zone, zone B as tidal zone, and zones C, D, and E as submerged zones. Figure 2
shows scheme of the columns, divided into the five zones A, B, C, D, and E, as well with
marked testing and sampling places.

Figure 2: Scheme of the column No.1 (dimensions in cm)

Determination of the concrete quality was based on testing capillary water absorption,(EN
1015-18), gas permeability (EN 993-4:1995), compressive strength (EN 12504-1:2000),
determination of chloride ions content (%) in concrete [7, 8], determination of chloride
diffusion coefficient D (NT BUILD 443:1995) and determination of corrosion risk by using
galvanostatic impulse method [9]. In this paper only part of the performed research results
related to the chlorides penetration are presented.
3.1Chloride profiles
The information about the exposure time, the environment and the measured chloride
profile in concrete are giving a picture about the structure and its response to the chloride
impact. By simplification of few parameters within this measurement results it is sufficient to
determine the shape of the chloride profile from a mathematical point of view. The values of
these parameters, their statistical distributions and their development with the time contribute
significantly in finding solution for the chloride ingress in the concrete.
As previously mentioned the transport mechanism may vary with material composition,
permeability and distribution and cracks widths in the concrete. Here are taken into account
the assumptions that diffusion is the predominant mechanism of the chloride ingress and that
the concrete is a quasi-homogeneous material. With respect to these assumptions the chloride
profiles are calculated for each testing place, applying Ficks second law of diffusion. [10-12]
All together more than 200 chloride testing were performed, from which 60 chloride
profiles were calculated, presented in figures 3 to 5, related to the exposure zone. Average
values of all chloride profiles for each zone are graphically shown in figure 6.

a) b)
Figure 3: Chloride profiles for exposure zones a) A and b) B.

a) b)
Figure 4: Chloride profiles for exposure zones a) C and b) D.

Figure 5: Chloride profiles for exposure zone E. Figure 6: Chloride profiles for zone A to E
Depth of reinforcement location was measured on each testing point where the chloride
profile was done. The average concrete cover thickness was 39 mm. From the results shown

in figure 6 it is obvious that chloride concentration on the level of reinforcement was
considerably greater than the threshold value, generally accepted in Croatian practice [13]
which implies great probability of corrosion process. Nevertheless, it should be noted that
parts of the structure that are totally and permanently submerged in the seawater are less
corrosion endangered and therefore there were no significant damages due to the
reinforcement corrosion, except in zone A and B.
3.2Chloride diffusion coefficient
With analysing chloride ions profile data, ulterior calculation procedure gives chloride
diffusion coefficient through hardened concrete. Diffusion coefficient can be calculated
depending on time during which construction was exposed to severe sea actions, by using
following formula, as solution for Ficks second law of diffusion [10-12]:
|
|
.
|
\
|

=
t D
x
erf C C C t x C
app
i s s
4
) ( ) , (
(1)
where:
C(x,t) - chloride concentration, measured at the depth x at the exposure time t, mass %
C
s
- boundary condition at the exposed surface, mass %
C
i
- initial chloride concentration measured on the concrete slice, mass %
x - depth below the exposed surface (to the middle of a layer), m
D
app
- apparent chloride diffusion coefficient, m
2
/s
t - exposure time, s
erf - error function.
The values of C
s
and D
app
are determined by fitting the equation (1) to the measured
chloride contents by means of a non-linear regression analysis in accordance with the method
of least squares fit. [10-12]
The results of the diffusion coefficient calculation (average value for each testing place) from
chloride profiles are presented in figure 7. Average values of the chloride diffusion coefficient
for each zone are presented in table 1.
1,00E-14
1,00E-13
1,00E-12
1,00E-11
1,00E-10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Testing place
D
i
f
f
u
s
i
o
n

c
o
e
f
f
i
s
i
e
n
t

D
C
l
-

[
m
2
/
s
]
zone A
zone B
zone C
zone D
zone E

Figure 7: Chloride profiles for zones A-E

Table 1: Average values of the chloride diffusion coefficients depending on zones
ZONE Column height [cm] Chloride diffusion coefficient, D
ave
[mm
2
/s]
A XS3 470 till 500 (0 do 30 cm above sea level) 4,27E-11
B XS3 450 till 470 (0 do 20 cm under the sea) 5,83E-12
C XS2 400 till 450 (od -20 do 70 cm under the sea) 1,56E-12
D XS2 60 till 450 (od -70 do 460 cm under the sea) 3,07E-12
E XS2 0 till 60 (od -460 do 520 cm under the sea) 2,26E-12
3.3Surface chloride concentration
The measured profiles have been analysed to derive the chloride surface concentration
C
S
. and these computed data have been used as a basis for the further analysis. [14] In Table 2
are given the results of statistical analysis for C
S
values, calculated from chloride measure-
ments data. Exposure zones are designated according EN 206-1 [13]. In this calculation
design value of chloride surface concetration is defined as:
C
Sd
= C
S.ave
+ 1.3 o
s
(2).
where C
S.ave
is and average value of chloride surface concentrations (load) and o
s
is standard
deviation. Coefficient 1.3 means that 10 % of the population has higher concentrations than
C
Sd
. [15, 16]
Table 2. Chloride surface concentration related to the exposure zone
ZONE C
s,ave
(% by m
con
) o
s
(% by m
con
) C
Sd
(% by m
con
)
A XS3 0,62 0,24 0,93
B XS3 0,48 0,10 0,61
C XS2 0,39 0,13 0,56
D XS2 0,67 0,12 0,83
E XS2 0,22 0,04 0,27
The results shown in table 2 confirm previous conclusions about marine exposure conditions.
Zones A and B, splashing and tidal zone, have the highest chloride concentrations, concerning
that they are partially submerged. In the zone A the results have the highest dissipation, which
was caused by splashing and locally different chloride concentrations. Zones C, D, and E are
totally submerged zones. These zones show a dependence of surface chloride concentration
on the structural geometry shape, as shown in figure 8. Zones C and E have lower chloride
surface concentration values, which are slope wise parts of the structure and dont front
directly a seawater flux. Zone D, a vertical part of the column, has very high surface chloride
concentration, due to its set up against the seawater flux.
Table 3. Relationship between C
Sd
and shape of the concrete element
Zone u () sin u C
sd
(% by mass of concrete) Corrected value of C
sd

D 90 1 0,83 0,83 sin 90 = 0,83
C 45 0,707 0,56 0,83 sin 45 = 0,58
E 19 0,326 0,27 0,83 sin 19 = 0,27

B
A
C
D
E
B
A
C
D
E

Figure 8. Relation between chloride surface concentration as a load and column shape
In table 3 relationship between chloride surface concentrations and shape of the concrete
element, in this case study columns of the marine structure, is presented. Based on the
analysed results following correlation for the chloride surface concentration for the
submerged zones (XS 2) is suggested:
C
sd
= C
ref
sin u (3)
where C
ref
is reference value, accepted or determined experimentally for the vertical part of
the element and u is the angle of the slope of the concrete surface on the observed side of the
element.

4. CONCLUSION
During research project on reinforced concrete structures exposed to the marine
environment, a detailed condition survey was performed on concrete columns which were part
of a marine structure for 30 years. Within experimental assessment, chloride analysis were
performed, on the insitu and laboratory extracted specimens, related to the five zones of
exposure.
Chloride concentration on the reinforcement level was considerably greater than the
threshold value, which implies great probability of corrosion process. Nevertheless, parts of
the structure that are totally and permanently submerged in the seawater are less corrosion
endangered and therefore there were no significant damages due to the reinforcement
corrosion, except in splashing and tidal zone.
Splashing and tidal zone had the highest chloride concentrations and the highest dissipation
of results, which was caused by splashing and locally different chloride concentrations.
Submerged zones had shown a dependence of surface chloride concentration on the
structural geometry shape, which was not expected. Slope wise parts of the structure, which
didnt front directly a seawater flux, had lower chloride surface concentration values. Vertical
part of the column had very high surface chloride concentration, due to its set up against the
seawater flux. Correction factors for the chloride surface concentrations in relation to the
geometry of the concrete elements are suggested, based on this preliminary research results.
Further research will be performed in order to evaluate suggested relationship, and to


determine the influence of fluid pressure on chloride rate penetration, when concrete elements
are submerged in sea water.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was performed within scientific projects The Development of New
Materials and Concrete Structure Protection Systems, 082-0822161-2159.
REFERENCES
[1] Mehta, P.K.: Concrete in the marine environment; University of California at Berkeley, USA,
1991.
[2] Broomfield, J. P.: Corrosion of Steel in Concrete, Understanding, Investigation and Repair,
E&FN Spon, London, 1997.
[3] Ollivier, J.P., Massat, M., Parrott, L.: Parameters influencing transport characteristics, RILEM
REPORT 12, Performance Criteria fo Concrete Durability, RILEM TC 116-PCD, E&FN Spon,
1995.
[4] Stipanovi, I.; Bjegovi, D.; Rako, D. Chlorides Impact on Reinforced Concrete Structures,
Proceedings of the International Symposium "Durability and Maintenance of Concrete
Structures", Radi, Jure (eds). Zagreb : SECON HDGK, 2004. 583-590.
[5] Report 02/2004 on research project ''TABKIMO Durability of reinforced concrete structures
exposed to marine environment'', Faculty of Civil Engineering, Dept. for Materials, June 2004.
[6] Bjegovi, D.; Stipanovi, I.; Roskovi, R. Chloride Concentration in 25-Year-Old Concrete,
Proceedings of the International Conference held at the University of Dundee: Application of
Codes, Design and Regulations, Dhir, Ravindra K.; Newlands, Moray D.; Whyte, Andrew (eds).
London : Thomas Telford Publishing, 2005. 165-174 .
[7] Petersen, C.G.: RCT-Method, Measurements of the chloride content of concrete, in situ; Germann
Instruments inc. 2000.
[8] RCT Instruction and maintenance manual, Denmark 2003.
[9] Frlund, T., Jensen, M.F., Bassler, R.: Determination Of Reinforcement Corrosion Rate By
Means Of The Galvanostatic Pulse Technique, First International Conference on Bridge
Maintenance, Safety and Management IABMAS 2002, Barcelona, 14-17 July, 2002;
http://www.germann.org/
[10] Crank, J.: The Mathematics of Diffusion, 2nd ed., Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1986.
[11] Poulsen, E.: Chloride ingress into concrete having time dependent diffusion coefficient;
Chalmers University, Sweden, Gothenburg, 1993.
[12] Poulsen, E.: Chloride profiles analysis and interpretation of observations; University of Lund,
Sweden, 1995.
[13] EN 206-1: 2000: Concrete - Part 1: Specification, per-formance, production and conformity.
[14] Stipanovi Oslakovi, I. 2009. Prediction and measuring transport of chlorides in concrete, Ph.D.
Thesis, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, p. 209.
[15] Stipanovi Oslakovi, I.; Bjegovi, D.; Mikuli, D. Chlorides ingress as an environmental load on
Krk bridge, Tailor made concrete structures: New solutions for our society, eds. Walraven, Joost
C.; Stoelhorst, Dick, London, UK: Taylor&Francis Group, 2008. 81.
[16] Fluge, F. 2001. Marine chlorides - A probabilistic approach to derive provisions for EN 206-1,
DuraNet, Third Workshop, Service Life Design of Concrete Structures From Theory to
Standardisation, Troms, 47-68.


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CONCRETE PERFORMANCE IN RELATION TO THE EXPOSURE

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