Concrete Mix Design for Service Life of RC Structures under Carbonation Using Genetic Algorithm

Abstract EN

Steel corrosion in reinforced concrete (RC) structure is such a critical problem to structural safety that many researches have been performed for maintaining required performance during intended service life.

This paper is for a numerical technique for obtaining optimum concrete mix proportions through genetic algorithm (GA) for RC structures under carbonation which is considered as a serious deterioration in underground sites and big cities.

For this study, mix proportions and CO2 diffusion coefficients are analyzed through the previous studies, and then the fitness function of CO2 diffusion coefficient is derived through regression analysis.

The fitness function from 69 test results includes 5 variables of mix proportions such as w/c (water to cement) ratio, cement content, sand content percentage, coarse aggregate content, and R.H.

(relative humidity).

Through GA technique, simulated mix proportions are obtained for 12 cases of verification and they show reasonable results with average relative error of 4.6%.

Assuming intended service life and design parameters, intended CO2 diffusion coefficients and cement contents are determined and then related mix proportions are simulated.

The proposed technique can provide initial concrete mix proportions which satisfy service life under carbonation.