Service life of structural lightweight aggregate concrete under carbonation-induced corrosion

• Service life analysis of structural lightweight concrete under carbonation-induced corrosion.
• Service life prediction by means of semi-probabilistic performance-based approach.
• Abacuses for service life prediction as a function of the w/c ratio are presented.
• Limiting values for concrete composition for a 50 year service-life are prescribed.

This paper addresses the prediction of the carbonation-induced corrosion service life of structural lightweight aggregate concrete (SLWAC) by means of a performance-based approach. Abacuses for the prediction of the service life of SLWAC as a function of the w/c ratio are presented. Limiting values of concrete composition for different carbonation exposure classes are prescribed for an intended service life of at least 50 years. The results reveal that even when pastes of low-to-moderate quality are considered, the carbonation-induced corrosion should not be the mechanism determining the service life of SLWAC structures, as long as appropriate thicknesses of concrete cover are adopted.