Service life of reinforced concrete structures is limited in most cases by migration processes of CO2 and of dissolved aggressive compounds such as chlorides and sulfates in the pore space of concrete. The rate of these transport processes depends on…
Service life of reinforced concrete structures is limited in most cases by migration processes of CO2 and of dissolved aggressive compounds such as chlorides and sulfates in the pore space of concrete. The rate of these transport processes depends on the total porosity and the pore size distribution. Both values change with progressive hydration of cement. But the pore space and the pore size distribution can also be modified by an applied tensile of compressive load. In this contribution the influence of an external load on the pore space shall be investigated. Penetration of an aqueous solution into a crack and into the fictitious crack ahead of a real crack shall be described in detail. In addition mechanics of micro-crack formation in a porous material shall be studied. Finally the influence of an applied tensile and compressive load on the rate of chloride penetration and the rate of carbonation shall be considered. Results will help to form a basis for better understanding the reduced service life of reinforced concrete structures under combined mechanical load and environmental actions.