The Impact of Climate Change Scenarios on The Time-Dependent Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Structure

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has extensively documented rising global temperatures, increased rainfall, and higher CO2 concentrations. Increased CO2 levels could influence the penetration rate of the carbonation front through the concrete cover, leading to a faster de-passivation of the rebars. The resulting reduction of the steel area, concrete spalling, and loss of confinement, pose higher safety risks. Despite the importance of predictive models for assessing climate change impacts, they are often overlooked in structural standards. This paper aims to approach the problem by analysing RC frame system capacity under various CO2 concentrations scenarios using ISAM carbon cycle model. The results aim to highlight how evolving emissions accelerate degradation, influencing the safety of existing RC structures. The paper is intended as an initial step toward integrating climate considerations into structural analysis.