Service Life Modeling of Concrete Structures

Concrete service life is the period during which concrete structures can fulfill their intended functions. One of the most prevalent causes for the termination of service life is the corrosion of reinforcing steel, which leads to staining, cracking, and spalling of the concrete covers, and, eventually, unserviceable and unsafe structures.

Service Life Prediction for New Structures

Service life prediction models can help the owner begin with an end in mind,  to achieve life-cycle cost-effectiveness by knowing how long the structure can last and what the maintenance and repair schedule should be.

Certain concrete structures are required to meet a minimum design service life, such as those built per the United Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS), “Marine Concrete with Service Life Modeling.” Service life modeling is required to demonstrate that the combination of concrete mixture, reinforcement design, and measures of corrosion mitigation can work together to achieve the minimum required service life. For these projects, Twining Concrete Insight utilizes the fib Model Code for Service Life Design to demonstrate compliance.

Service Life Prediction for Existing Structures

For existing structures in place, signs of corrosion may lead to public safety concerns. Owners and designers may also wonder if it is better to repair the structure or to demolish and rebuild. In addition to our condition evaluation, destructive and non-destructive testing services, service life modeling can predict the remaining service life of the existing structures, which can be crucial in your decision-making.

Our Service Life Modeling Approaches

With our sophisticated knowledge of concrete materials and our in-depth understanding of a variety of modeling software, Twining Concrete Insight is well-prepared to assist you with any projects where service life is of concern.