A two-dimensional model of electrochemical chloride removal from concrete

This paper presents a two-dimensional computer model of electrochemical chloride removal (ECR) from concrete. The model involves consideration of not only the effects of electrostatic coupling of charged ions in a multi-component mixture but also the influence of a number of other factors, viz, adsorption of ions at interfaces between the electrolyte liquid and cement solid phases due to ionic binding, effects of porosity and tortuosity of pore structure. The model yields a system of non-linear convection–diffusion equations with variable coefficients which is solved using Galerkin finite element methods. Numerical results associated with electrochemical chloride removal are presented and some important features are highlighted.