Simco Technologies Inc.

UniversitÈ Laval

Jacques Marchand

Eric Samson

Etienne Gregoire

Yannick Maltais

A method, system and computer program product for estimating degradation and durability characteristics of a reinforced concrete structure are provided. Location-dependent information conveying structural information associated with different locations along the concrete structure is received, the location-dependent information having been obtained by applying a non-destructive testing (NDT) process to the concrete structure. The location-dependent information is processed in combination with information conveying material properties and information conveying estimated environmental conditions to derive concrete degradation simulation data conveying estimated degradation and durability characteristics associated with the different locations along the concrete structure. A signal is then released, causing the estimated degradation and durability characteristics of the concrete structure to be displayed on a display device. Aspects of the proposed approach may be integrated into concrete asset managing systems and be used to assist in managing, including planning maintenance activities in connection with, reinforced concrete structures such as bridges, roadways, ports and the like.

Method and system for estimating degradation and durability of concrete structures and asset management system making use of same

The present invention relates to a computational tool that allows to evaluate the degradation of cement-based materials under various types of chemical attacks such as sulfates, chlorides, and plain water. It is based on the physical principles of ionic mass conservation and chemical equilibrium between a solution and different solid phases. The effect of the dissolution or the precipitation of solid phases on the transport coefficients is considered. A method for determining an ion concentration in solution of at least two ions capable of undergoing transport in a cement-based material under a chemical attack and a solid phase profile for at least one component of said cement-based material is provided. A method for determining a diffusion coefficient for each of at least two ions capable of undergoing transport in a cement-based material is also provided.

Growing community of inventors

CA

Jacques Marchand