Sustainable Design Perspective of Offshore Concrete Structures Subjected to Reinforcement Corrosion within Cracked Structures

Recent advancements in design methodologies have greatly enhanced the dependable design of offshore structures. However, rigorous validation remains crucial for confirming the efficacy of these designs. Concrete, a material widely used in offshore structures, faces significant challenges under harsh environmental conditions such as chloride ion exposure from seawater. This exposure leads to deterioration of concrete properties and poses a severe threat to the sustainability of these structures. Cracking in concrete, both in new and operational phases, often leads to chloride-driven corrosion of reinforcing steel, which shortens the service life of the structures. This study aims to quantify the depth of saltwater penetration in offshore concrete structures (OCS) exposed to varying saltwater depths using Darcy's Law and microstructure finite element simulations. Laboratory tests for hydraulic conductivity and porosity were conducted to validate the numerical simulation results. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive implementation of active components to enhance the service life and failure modes of maritime constructions. To achieve long-term operational efficiency and sustainability, it is essential to design appropriate offshore platforms for different saltwater depths. Although the design methodologies discussed are broadly applicable, specific stresses and design concerns are unique to each type of offshore platform. This study provides valuable insights into the exoskeleton issue and suggests future directions for improving offshore concrete structure designs.