Service life design of reinforced concrete maritime infrastructure: holistic approach with experiences from Chilean cases

Abstract

The consideration of the service life of reinforced concrete in the different stages of the life cycle assessment LCA of a structure, as a differentiating element, when proceeding with the performance design associated with the in-place aggressive conditions of the environment, has generated new construction challenges. In addition with the development of new regulations that include innovative engineering materials, the incorporation of performance tests and modeling processes to estimate the development of concrete deterioration over time, and construction processes that ensure adequate Quality Assurance and Quality Control QAQC. This has led to infrastructure that could even exceed their period of use, maintenance serviceability levels for more than 100 years. Such is the case, for example, of the Chacao Bridge project, currently underway, in southern Chile. In this paper, the different stages of a project are reviewed considering a holistic approach, concentrating on those aspects that should be inherent to all planning, including complementary to the design and construction process. The stage of control of the deterioration levels through diagnostics, with a defined frequency, and monitoring if relevant, to support at any moment the Structural Health Management SHM. Some cases of service life design of real cases made with own created models are presented.