Finite element method-based numerical study utilizing experimental data on chloride solution transport in concrete under hydraulic pressure

Chloride solution transport in concrete under hydraulic pressure was estimated by finite element method(FEM)-based numerical analysis utilizing experimental data. The method described in this study has been proposed to predict the long-term penetration of chloride solution into concrete, which is difficult through lab-scale experiments. A numerical analysis method was proposed by assuming that the equilibrium equation of the finite element model was a transport equation based on Fick's second law. The diffusion coefficients considering hydraulic pressure necessary for Fick's second law was estimated using short-term experimental data on water and chloride penetration into concrete under hydraulic pressure conditions. Because chloride transport is affected by moisture, we analyzed chloride transport into concrete using water transport analysis. The penetration depth and concentration of water and chloride over time were quantitatively identified and compared with the experimental results for verification. The study provides insights into the durability evaluation of RC structures exposed to underwater environments. •A method to predict chloride movement in concrete under water pressure was proposed.•A FEM-based numerical analysis utilizing experimental data was suggested.•Feasibility of the numerical analysis was verified with the experimental results.