Application of a n-Phase Model to the Diffusion Coefficient of Chloride in Mortar

The determination of the chloride diffusion coefficient of a concrete is needed to help the prediction of the service life of concrete structure. In this paper, we propose first a critical review of models for chloride diffusion coefficients already used in literature at different scales and then we develop an analytical model, which takes into account the characteristics of the different phases of concrete. These materials are treated as a three-phase composite, consisting of a cement continuous phase, of an aggregates dispersed phase and of an interface transition zone. Chloride diffusion coefficient using an n-layered inclusion-based micromechanical modeling is predicted. The details of calculations are summarized hereafter and experimental measurements obtained on mortars are compared with predicted results.