Stochastic modeling of durability

The maintenance of an adequate safety level of concrete bridges under their gradual degradation due to traffic and environmental actions during service life is an expensive, problematic and questionable task. Chloride ion ingress is an important aspect of durability design and maintenance, especially in regions where winter salt application for traffic safety is common, e.g. for highways. This paper introduces a feasible approach to analyze possible chloride induced deterioration illustrated by the example of a real highway bridge. The structure was demolished after 38 years of service, samples were extracted and the necessary chemical analyses for chloride concentration in concrete have been carried out. A numerical 1D model has been utilized for an inverse analysis leading to surface chloride supply assessment.