Exploring the Emerging Evolution Trends of Probabilistic Service Life Prediction of Reinforced Concrete Structures in the Chloride Environment by Scientometric Analysis

To reveal the global picture and emerging evolution trends with sufficiently large literature data of RC structure’s service life prediction, especially the time to corrosion initiation, the scientometric analysis on the corresponding evolution trends was performed by using visualization software CiteSpace and VOSviewer in this paper. First, the application of CiteSpace and VOSviewer and retrieval strategy for data collection were described. And then, information visualization analysis was carried out based on the papers related to RC structure’s service life evaluation from publications number evolution, journal distribution, and authors’ contribution. Finally, document cocitation network, cooccurring keywords network, and timeline view of keywords network were conducted to discuss the research hotspots on time to corrosion initiation evaluation of reinforcement. Research results reveal that the number of publications on RC structure’s service life evaluation reached its peak in 2011. Besides, Structural Safety is the journal that makes the most significant contributions, and Professor Li CQ is the author with the most contribution score. Moreover, the knowledge body of the time to corrosion initiation prediction consists of six clusters; the high-citation articles in this field mainly focus on the multiple-parameters model and probabilistic reliability method.

Service Life Prediction of RC Structure Incorporated with GGBS Subjected to Chloride Ion Penetration

Durability plays important role in structures that replicates the service life of the structure. Most of the structures are built by using concrete as main construction material. We can improve the service life of structures by substituting cement with secondary materials which contain cementitious property such asGGBS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag). In this concept we determine the chloride content in reinforced concrete structure which leads to deterioration, when exposed to 3.5% of NaCl solution by using immersion test. Firstly, we cast cubes (150x150x150mm) for conventional mix and mixes with different percentages of GGBS (30%, 50% and70%). Present in this paper we considered 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 water binder ratio (w/b). Later on, we find the percentage of chloride ion penetrated is tested at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. We determine the compressive strength for 28 days, 56 days and 90 days and the chloride content (%) at 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm and 25mm depths of specimens, by using an empirical formula of Fick’s 2nd law. Service life prediction can be helpful to estimate prevailing the life of structure and can plan the better repair strategies and to make critical decisions in practice. We can design new structures such that life cycle cost can be optimized.

Critical Review of Polymeric Building Envelope Materials: Degradation, Durability and Service Life Prediction

This paper provides a critical review of the degradation, durability and service life prediction (SLP) of polymeric building envelope materials (BEMs), namely, claddings, air/vapour barriers, insulations, sealants, gaskets and fenestration. The rate of material deterioration and properties determine the usefulness of a product; therefore, knowledge of the significant degradation mechanisms in play for BEMs is key to the design of proper SLP methods. SLP seeks to estimate the life expectancy of a material/component exposed to in-service conditions. This topic is especially important with respect to the potential impacts of climate change. The surrounding environment of a building dictates the degradation mechanisms in play, and as climate change progresses, material aging conditions become more unpredictable. This can result in unexpected changes and/or damages to BEMs, and shorter than expected SL. The development of more comprehensive SLP methods is economically and environmentally sound, and it will provide more confidence, comfort and safety to all building users. The goal of this paper is to review the existing literature in order to identify the knowledge gaps and provide suggestions to address these gaps in light of the rapidly evolving climate.