Risk-based life-cycle maintenance strategies for corroded reinforced concrete buildings located in the region with high seismic hazard.

In this study, several developed models have been adopted to investigate deterioration induced by chloride ingress by considering uncertainty in order to estimate the initiation and rate of corrosion. Besides, the structural capacity and serviceability of RC buildings, i.e. the shear capacity, bending strength and width of cracking or spalling of columns and beams with corroded reinforcing bars, were also calculated using simple formulas developed from previous experiments. Based on the information of annual spalling/cracking and failure probabilities, the deterioration risk of an RC building attacked by chloride can be evaluated using the concept of reliability of a series system. In order to find the optimal maintenance plan, probabilistic effect assessment models for repair/retrofit strategies (five repair/retrofit strategies were selected) that consider the recurrence of deterioration in repaired areas and the deterioration proceeding in unrepaired areas were developed in this research. These models reflect the effects of the maintenance strategies on the failure and spalling probability directly and can be used to estimate the life-cycle performance and cost of RC buildings. Finally, on the basis of the minimal life-cycle cost, the optimal life-cycle maintenance strategy can also be identified by using the genetic algorithm; case studies were used to discuss the applicability of this system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]