Coupled effect of axially distributed load and carbonization on permeability of concrete

Rebar corrosion strongly influences concrete durability. Furthermore, carbonization and chloride permeability caused by passivation of steel bars are the main causes of reinforcement corrosion. Concrete structures are commonly subjected to compressive stress. We discuss the coupled effects of axial compression load and carbonization on chloride, gas, and water permeabilities. We observed that gas and water permeability coefficients of concrete decrease with prolonged carbonization under same load with varying degrees of decline. However, coupled effect of axial compression load and carbonization on chloride penetration is more complex, as hydration products of cement and carbonized product produce a binding effect on chloride. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.