Numerical modeling of unidirectional sulfate attack on tunnel lining concrete considering water evaporation at free face

Abstract

Severe scaling and spalling are commonly observed on tunnel lining surfaces in sulfate-rich environments. Due to humidity gradients, sulfate solution in rock fissures migrates through capillary action to the concrete exposed face, leading to physical crystallization precipitation at free-face zone and chemical sulfate attack at soil-facing zone, resulting in concrete expansion and crack. Existing models focus on full immersion or wet-dry cycles, which have obvious errors in predicting concrete damage under similar partial immersion. Considering the time-varying characteristics of saturation, porosity, calcium leaching and crack, a transport-reaction-expansion model for lining concrete under dual sulfate attacks and water evaporation was established. The spatiotemporal distribution of phase composition and the influence of modeling parameters on concrete expansion were revealed. The expansion strain caused by dual sulfate attacks and changes in the water evaporation zone was discussed. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the durability design of lining concrete in sulfate-rich environment.