Analysis and Modeling of Concrete Pile Infrastructure Deterioration

This report examines the deterioration of concrete piles, focusing on the impact of chloride-induced corrosion, which leads to spalling. The investigation procedure includes visual examination and chloride content determination using methods like the Volhard method and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The report also explores half-cell potential measurement for assessing corrosion. Repair material selection considers factors such as cost and ease of application, with options including epoxy-sand mortar, shotcrete, and polymer-modified concrete. The design of new piles takes into account material properties unaffected by chloride, with calculations for tensile stress and allowable load. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of considering environmental attacks in the design and construction of concrete piles, especially in marine environments. The report references several research papers on concrete pile deterioration and repair.

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Introduction
Concrete is actually a composite material used for the construction. It is prepared with cement,
water, and aggregate. The wide variety of the mixed proportion of the concrete will always allow
for the applications in the pile constructions. In such constructions, quality, as well as durability,
is very important factors to be considered in the process. It is in regard to the required safety
measures that researchers seek to highlight some of the impacts of the external factors on the
quality of the structures made from the concrete. Civil engineers will show interests in the study
of the quality of the concrete once the comment has been produced from the mixture and this
usually done to ascertain the right parameters. One of the characterizes of the deteriorated
concrete is spalling. Spalling is attributing to very many causes including the effects of the
chloride on the concrete. The case study involves a pile system whose visual examination has
revealed possibilities of the spalling effects.
Question 1
Investigation Procedure
Spalling Chloride determination Testing
From the visual examination of the presented pile sample, it is evident that chloride-induced
corrosion of the reinforcement is associated with the spalling of the concrete(Kong, Cai &
Zhang 2016). As far as this particular problem is concerned, the relationship between the
concentration of the chloride in the concrete as well as the corrosion severity is considered as the
most relevant parameter in the evaluation of the extent of the damage(Lin et al 2016). The
chloride content determination in the cement is going to be treated as one of the direct site tests

in the diagnosis as well as damage potential. It possible that the chloride content is most likely to
determine the selection of the repair technique as well as the implementation processes.
Proposed Techniques for evaluation
Chloride Content Determination
Determining the effects of the chloride on the pile system will involve the use of the Volhard
method. This method will assist in the determination of the concentration of the chloride. Also in
consideration can be the use of the X-rays fluorescence spectrometry technique to determine the
content of the chloride from the sample taken from the piles of the decks. The chloride testing
kits can as well be used.
Half-cell potential Measurement

This particular method will be considered effective in the measurement of the electrode potential
of the bars of the steel reinforcement in the concrete by the comparison of the potential electrode
that is known with reference to the electrode values. The surface of the concrete must be
evaluated to meaningful evaluation(Feng et al 2016). While using this particular method, the
surface of the concrete pile will be into the system of the grid by the use of suitable dimensions.
It is important to note that this particular method exploits the electrical continuity of the
electrical component. The potential difference between such reinforcements as well as the cell
will be measured by the use of the voltmeter that has very high impedance. A summary of the
procedure will be as indicated in the figure below.

Question 2
Selection of repair material

There has been the formulation of a variety of the materials to be used for the repair purposes
that also provide a wide range of properties. Considering that these properties will affect the
performance of the repair, selection of the right material for the specific application will be done
based on very careful procedures. The formulation of the concrete repair material is to assist in
the provision of wide range solutions.It is most likely that more than one material will satisfy the
criteria of the design for durable repair to be achieved. The following factors are thus taken into
consideration:
 Cost
 Ease of usage or ease of applications
 Available equipment as well as skills
 The shelf life of the material
 Material pot life

The possible list of the materials whose properties are to be considered

Proposed Repair Technique/Solution to the problem
Small Spall Repair
The identified minor spalls on the pile system will be repaired by the use of several methods
including epoxy-sand mortar, shotcrete, non-shrink cementitious grouts or dry-pack. It is
important that all the materials that are loose to be removed to make the surface roughened and
free from the contaminants just before the patching can be carried out. Several a material, as well
as systems for replacement of the concrete section of the piles after the unsound spalled concrete,
is removed. The replacement method that can be used can either be polymer modified concrete,
sprayed concretes, pre-placed concretes or just conventionally poured concretes(Utkin,& Sushev
2017).
While using the method of the sprayed concretes, a lot of care should be taken just to ensure that
the shadowing effect in the lee of the spray gun is properly guided. Some of the advantages of

this particular method are that it will be possible to produce high strength concrete with low
permeability even without the use of the formwork. This is very important for the repairs which
are carried out of the slabs and beams(Rambo et al 2016).
Question 3
The design concept of the new pile will take into consideration the properties of the materials
that are never affected by the chloride. From the information given, the measured strength of the
concrete is 32 MPa with the concrete being 320 kg/m3. This implies that the design will the
allowable load as 32mpa. The calculated parameters to be considered will include the calculation
of the working:
 Tensile stress
 Bond strength of the component
 Allowable load considerations as well(Momeni et al 2016)
The calculation of the new design is as shown below

This component that is in direct contact with water is expected to be
the most vulnerable part. Lot of design measures to be employed in
this particular section.

Conclusion
From the investigation conducted, it was evident that chloride destroys concretes piles that are
used in places that are marine(Feng, Kong & Song 2016). Although such piles can be preferred
for specific reasons including being easier to construct as well as relatively cheaper costs, their

design as well as construction should consider the environmental attack that is responsible for
over 90% deterioration.