Investigation of oxygen diffusion and corrosion potential in steel-reinforced concrete through a cellular automaton framework

Highlights: • The process of oxygen diffusion and steel corrosion is investigated in detail. • A simulation-based framework is developed and validated. • The time evolution of the current density and corrosion potential is determined. • Uncertainties in oxygen diffusion and polarization parameters are assessed. • Corrosion-induced crack is predicted as threshold for durability and serviceability. The main objective of this study is to develop a reliable model that links the corrosion process to the availability of oxygen in the cathodic region. This is proven to be the governing factor in the second stage of corrosion, i.e., corrosion propagation, in steel-reinforced concrete. This model is solved using a cellular automaton framework validated with the experimental and field data. A simulation-based probabilistic approach is then employed to investigate the uncertainties present in various oxygen diffusion parameters, polarization variables, and structural details, especially to predict the crack width, as a threshold for both durability and serviceability assessment purposes.