Stochastic Analysis of Climate Change Impact on Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Structures in Brazil

• Grant number: 24/11441-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rogério Carrazedo
• Grantee: Chiara Pinheiro Teodoro
• Supervisor: Emilio Bastidas-Arteaga
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: La Rochelle Université, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/13093-9 - Stochastic Analysis of Climate Change Impact on Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Structures in Brazil, BP.DR

Abstract

Extensive research has explored the impact of corrosion on both concrete and steel materials, as well as the structural responses to resulting damage. With climate changes, a pressing concern arises as this phenomenon introduces diverse variables that can accelerate corrosion processes, potentially compromising structures designed under current codes. In Brazil, the complex interaction of regional factors leads to varying failure probabilities across different cities, given the country's vast territory and diverse climate scenarios. However, national design standards offer unified design recommendations for reinforced concrete structures. To address this complexity and enhance our understanding, this project aims to construct a comprehensive map of corrosion-induced failure probabilities, considering the influence of climate change. To achieve the final goal of the Ph.D. research, a numerical model using the Finite Element Method based on Positions (FEMP) is under development, integrating damage mechanics and the consequences of corrosion, such as rebar area loss and loss of bond strength. This model will then serve as the foundation for a reliability analysis, employing probabilistic methods to consider different sources of uncertainty and explore diverse scenarios. During the exchange period, climate change database acquisition or analysis and structural reliability analysis will be developed, focusing on chloride-induced corrosion, a specialty of Prof. Emilio Bastidas-Arteaga (supervisor in France).The main objective abroad is to develop a stochastic analysis of RC structures under corrosion, considering the impacts of rising temperatures, increased CO2 levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and diverse climatic conditions in Brazil. To achieve this goal we look forward for the expertise of Prof. Emilio Bastidas-Arteaga, from the La Rochelle Université. Prof. Emilio is an expert in corrosion, structural reliability, concrete structures and climate change adaptation. His expertise is complementary to that of the candidate's supervisor in Brazil and will be crucial to the success of the candidate's research.