Service Life Prediction of Silica Fume Concretes

Deterioration of concrete structures in the gulf region is a serious problem. penetration of chloride ion into concrete is responsible for such early deterioration. determination of chloride diffusion coefficient is an effective way to predict the service life of concrete structures. in order to investigate the performance of concrete mixtures in such environments, ordinary and silica fume concrete mixtures containing various water to cementitious materials ratios were used. rapid chloride permeability test and determination of diffusion coefficient of chloride ion penetration in accordance with bulk diffusion test under laboratory conditons simulated to persian gulf climate, and site investigation were performed. concentration of chloride ions in various depths of concrete specimens was measured using acid soluble chloride test method. test results show that silica fume reduces the chloride penetration and the diffusion coefficient in concrete mixtures. different models were made for rapid chloride test results, and diffusion coefficient, of concretes maintained in the hot and corrosive environments of the persian gulf. the models which were calibrated with real data obtained from the concrete structures are capable to predict the penetration and service life of concrete structures in such corrosive environments.