A simplified probabilistic model for the combined action of carbonation and chloride ingress

This paper presents an improved numerical model for the reliability analysis of corrosion initiation due to the combined action of carbonation and chloride ingress. The coupled mechanism of carbon dioxide, chloride ions, heat and moisture is considered in the model. The probability of corrosion initiation is evaluated by means of a single limit state function in which the critical concentration of chloride ions depends on the degree of carbonation. In addition, the coupled diffusion coefficients are interpolated linearly depending on the degree of carbonation in order to simplify the structure of the model without compromising accuracy.