Analysis of lifetime losses of low-rise reinforced concrete buildings attacked by corrosion and earthquakes using a novel method

Abstract

In the estimation of the losses caused by an earthquake for a reinforced concrete (RC) building, the effect of corrosion of the reinforcing steel incurred by environmental conditions, e.g. carbonation and chloride ions, is seldom mentioned because of the corrosion with uncertainty and time dependence. However, because the structural capacity of a corroded RC building declines over time, one must apply an appropriate method that estimates the structural capacity of an RC building in a corrosive environment. Therefore, this work integrated degradation factors into the structural properties of a corroded RC building. Additionally, by considering life-cycle earthquake events, lifetime losses resulting from earthquakes and corrosion can be derived. This work can help both owners and investors to identify lifetime losses of RC buildings due to seismic structural damage, including the corrosion effect, within a specified service life. Although the case study only addresses a selection of the most appropriate concrete cover depth for an RC building corroded by chloride ions, the proposed procedure can be utilised when making decisions about whether to prevent building deterioration based on economic considerations.