Predicting the residual life of concrete structures in biocorrosion from the position of the theory of mass transfer

Abstract

The problem of corrosive destruction of concrete and reinforced concrete structures of industrial buildings affected by aggressive environments does not lose its relevance, because, despite the abundance of modern methods of protection, there are still no radical methods of corrosion control. Corrosive destruction of building materials leads to a strength and load-bearing capacity reduction, loss of aesthetic properties of concrete and reinforced concrete structures and, consequently, to a decrease in the residual life of buildings and structures. The biological factor often acts as an intensifier of corrosive destruction. In this regard, it is reasonable to search for the possibility of predicting the durability of concrete and reinforced concrete structures in aggressive liquid mediums, taking into account the biofactor effect from the standpoint of mass transfer theory. The authors present a model of mass transfer in a concrete structure exposed to aggressive environment and biofouling. The proposed physical and mathematical model considers the properties of concrete and aggressive environment, as well as the kinetics of continuous processes of growth, reproduction and death of microorganisms. The results of numerical experiments on the proposed mathematical model are provided. The application of the received solutions will allow timely monitoring of biocorrosive destruction of concrete and reinforced concrete structures and selecting effective methods of protection.

Keywords

• concrete
• reinforced concrete
• corrosion
• biodegradation
• residual life
• mass transference