Service life cost of selected design and repair strategies for concrete structures in chloride exposure: Particular consideration of 12% chromium steel

Abstract Calculation of service life costs allows for a holistic assessment of the cost‐effectiveness of options in design regarding materials and intervention strategies for an infrastructure object. A method is presented in which probabilistic service life modeling and cost calculations are combined. This method is exemplified by two cases of reinforced concrete structures exposed to a chloride‐bearing environment. Two different types of reinforcing steel and several intervention strategies are analyzed. The results show that the method is suitable for decision‐making on the most economical solution. The solution with the lowest initial construction costs does not necessarily result into the lowest service life costs, depending on chloride exposure conditions and the anticipated interventions.