The growing impact of climate change on several fields and human activities has prompted the need for specific research about its potential consequences on structures. Climate change causes variations in temperature, atmospheric humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration levels, three factors that play a role in material degradation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This study explores the impact of climate change on the progressive collapse resistance of a real RC structure. Specifically, the corrosion of steel bars is modelled, with and without climate change, and its consequences on the structural capacity under vertical loads is discussed. It is assumed that the process of steel corrosion is induced by chloride ion penetration due to atmospheric environment; such a corrosion leads to a reduction in the reinforcement cross-sectional area, ductility, and strength. These parameters are assumed to vary over time based on a commonly adopted corrosion propagation model that explicitly accounts not only for chloride concentration, but also for temperature and humidity, which are both forecasted in alternative future scenarios via a climate change prediction model. To assess the gravity load capacity of the case-study building over time, a series of pushdown analyses are carried out. Over a 55-year period (lasting from today to the year 2080), the analysis reveals an approximate 35 % reduction in the vertical collapse load compared to the as-is condition (that is, today in 2025). The impact of climate change appears negligible on this result which is comparable to the one obtained for constant climate conditions. Larger consequences of potential climate change are observed when the considered period is extended to 150 years. The results also indicate that structural aging not only decreases the overall capacity but can also alter the collapse mechanism over time, underscoring the long-term structural risks associated with corrosion progression.
Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on the Progressive Collapse Resistance of an Existing Reinforced Concrete Building / Scattarreggia, N.; Chioccarelli, E.. - (2026), pp. 90-107. - GREEN ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY. [10.1007/978-3-032-11926-1_6].
Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on the Progressive Collapse Resistance of an Existing Reinforced Concrete Building
Scattarreggia N.Primo
;
2026
Abstract
The growing impact of climate change on several fields and human activities has prompted the need for specific research about its potential consequences on structures. Climate change causes variations in temperature, atmospheric humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration levels, three factors that play a role in material degradation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This study explores the impact of climate change on the progressive collapse resistance of a real RC structure. Specifically, the corrosion of steel bars is modelled, with and without climate change, and its consequences on the structural capacity under vertical loads is discussed. It is assumed that the process of steel corrosion is induced by chloride ion penetration due to atmospheric environment; such a corrosion leads to a reduction in the reinforcement cross-sectional area, ductility, and strength. These parameters are assumed to vary over time based on a commonly adopted corrosion propagation model that explicitly accounts not only for chloride concentration, but also for temperature and humidity, which are both forecasted in alternative future scenarios via a climate change prediction model. To assess the gravity load capacity of the case-study building over time, a series of pushdown analyses are carried out. Over a 55-year period (lasting from today to the year 2080), the analysis reveals an approximate 35 % reduction in the vertical collapse load compared to the as-is condition (that is, today in 2025). The impact of climate change appears negligible on this result which is comparable to the one obtained for constant climate conditions. Larger consequences of potential climate change are observed when the considered period is extended to 150 years. The results also indicate that structural aging not only decreases the overall capacity but can also alter the collapse mechanism over time, underscoring the long-term structural risks associated with corrosion progression.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
