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Advances in Concrete Construction
  Volume 17, Number 5, May 2024 , pages 245-255
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/acc.2024.17.5.245
 


Predicting the impact of global warming on carbonation of reinforced concrete structures in Zambia and Japan
Wanzi A. Zulu and Miyazato Shinichi

 
Abstract
    The problem of carbonation-induced corrosion has become a concern in recent times, especially in the 21st century, due to the increase in global temperatures and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere possessing a significant threat to the durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures worldwide, especially in inland tropical regions where carbonation is the most significant concrete degradation mechanism. Therefore, a study was conducted to predict the impact of global warming on the carbonation of RC structures in Lusaka, Zambia, and Tokyo, Japan. The Impact was estimated based on a carbonation meta-model that applies the analytic solution of Fick's 1st law using literature-based concrete mix design data and forecasted local temperature and CO2 concentration data over a 100-year period with relative humidity assumed constant. The results showed that CO2 diffusion increased between 17-31%, effecting a 40-45% rise in carbonation coefficient and a significant reduction in corrosion initiation time of 50-52% in the two cities. Moreover, for the same water-cement ratio, Lusaka showed almost twice higher carbonation coefficient values and one third shorter corrosion initiation time compared to Tokyo, mainly due to its higher temperature and low relative humidity. Additionally, the carbonation propagation depth at the end of 100 years was between 12-22 mm in Tokyo and 18-40 mm in Lusaka. These findings indicate that RC structures in these cities are at risk of rapid deterioration, especially in Lusaka, where they are more vulnerable.
 
Key Words
    carbonation coefficient; corrosion initiation time; global warming; Japan; reinforced concrete structures; Zambia
 
Address
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Nonoichi City 921-8501, Japan.
 
References
    -acc1705001-
 

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