Utilizing building information modeling (BIM) in the operation phase of civil infrastructure to analyze reinforcement corrosion induced by carbonation

Increasing the service life and durability of structures is an important step toward sustainability. Today, the role of carbonation in the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures in urban areas is very prominent. Conversely, building information modeling (BIM) is an innovative tool used for sustainable design, facility management (FM), and infrastructure operation. It can provide visual representations of damage results that project decision-makers can use for future planning to extend the life cycle of structures. This research presents a BIM-based framework focusing on the carbonation process and the resulting corrosion in rebars. In this framework, by developing several plugins, the calculation results of the carbonation and corrosion of the rebars in an underground parking structure were transferred to the 3D model of the structure. Then, by adding a time dimension to the model, 4D models and animations were created to visualize the process of concrete deterioration. Finally, the calculation results of this research and the 4D models can help create a maintenance schedule, analyze the time and cost of existing strategies to prevent concrete destruction, and provide an integrated plugin used to perform all calculations and create animations.