Electrochemical deposition method for load-induced crack repair of reinforced concrete structures: A numerical study. (1st November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meng, Zhaozheng; Liu, Qing-feng; She, Wei; Cai, Yuxin; Yang, Jian; Farjad Iqbal, Muhammad
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 246(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11-01
• Subjects: Electrochemical rehabilitation -- Reinforced concrete structures -- Chloride -- Concrete cracking -- Multi-ionic transport -- Numerical modelling; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112903
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Highlights: Electrochemical deposition for structural crack repair is thoroughly studied. Three advanced models are developed and coupled for the first time. The proposed numerical model is verified by experiments from various aspects. Influencing factors are discussed to guide repair work in practical engineering. Abstract: Cracking has been a severe threat to the durability of reinforced concrete structures. Electrochemical deposition is a promising rehabilitating method for crack repair with the additional advantages of chloride removal and realkalization of embedded rebars. This work presents a comprehensive numerical study of three coupled subprocesses involved in the electrochemical deposition treatment: concrete cracking, multi-ionic transport and crack repair, which can reveal the underlying mechanisms from a fundamental point of view. A multi-phase cracking model was developed considering local mechanical property variances in concrete composites. Interconnections and chemical reactions among various ions in concrete composites were elaborated thoroughly. Unlike most existing studies, the overall improvement of impermeability and compactness of structural components was well reflected by considering porosity changes and corresponding time-dependent ionic diffusivities. A detailed parametric analysis on influencing factors revealed that the current density of 0.5 A/m 2 possesses the best repair effect with a complete closure in 15 days, but the chloride removal efficiency is not ideal. Increasing the ambient temperature can promote the crack repair rate, and the most obvious improvement is between 0 ℃ and 10 ℃. The findings could provide the basis for optimal selection during electrochemical deposition treatment.