Service Life Design of Concrete Structures Made of High-Volume Limestone Powder Concrete—Case of the Carbonation-Induced Corrosion

Abstract

One of the paths to CO2 emissions reduction in the concrete industry is to use low-clinker cements, providing at the same time the performance of concrete that is adequate for application in concrete structures. This paper explores the impact of the clinker replacement with high amounts of limestone powder (21–70% in the powder phase) on concrete carbonation resistance. To quantify this impact, the empirical relationship between the carbonation resistance and the compressive strength of the high-volume limestone powder concrete (HVLPC) was established. For that purpose, the regression analysis was applied on the experimental results collected from the published research. The service life analysis based on the full probabilistic approach was performed using the fib Model Code 2010 prediction model and proposed empirical relationship. The first-order reliability method (FORM) was applied to solve the limit state function of reinforcement depassivation with a reliability index equal to 1.3. The obtained minimum concrete cover depths were 40–110% higher compared to those prescribed in the current European standard EN 1992-1-1:2004 for indicative strength classes. Based on the full probabilistic analysis, recommended cover depths are given for all carbonation exposure classes, commonly applied concrete strength classes, and service lives of 50 and 100 years.