Reliability of Industrial Chimneys Affected by Vertical Reinforcement Corrosion

Abstract

Reliability of a reinforced concrete chimney is analysed considering probabilistic models for the effects of wind loads and the principles provided in Eurocodes. Corrosion of reinforcement due to carbonation is considered. Obtained reliability indices are compared with the target levels indicated in the EN and ISO standards. Sensitivity analysis identifies the parameters that have a significant impact on structural reliability, namely wind velocity and time-invariant wind pressure parameters. The values of these parameters can be updated based on measurements and a more economic design can be achieved.