Durability of Concrete Structures

Abstract

Extensive experience demonstrates that the durability of concrete structures is related not only to design and material but also to construction issues. Upon completion of new concrete structures, the achieved construction quality always shows a high scatter and variability, and in severe environments, any weaknesses in the concrete structures will soon be revealed whatever specifications and constituent materials have been applied. In order to better take all this variability into account, a probability-based durability design should be applied. Since many durability problems also can be related to poor quality control as well as special problems during concrete construction, the issue of construction quality and variability must also be firmly grasped before any rational approach to a more controlled durability can be achieved. Therefore, a performance-based concrete quality control during concrete construction with documentation of achieved construction quality and compliance with the specified durability should also be carried out. When the concrete structure is completed, the owner should further be provided with a proper service manual for the future operation of the structure. Only such a service manual for condition assessment and preventive maintenance can provide the ultimate basis for achieving a more controlled durability and service life of concrete structures in severe environments. In the present paper, current experience with probability-based durability design and performance-based concrete quality control is briefly outlined and discussed.

Strength and Durability Properties of Concrete with Starch Admixture

“…Materials used in construction play a major role in the durability of concrete. However, Gjørv (2011) pointed out that design, materials used and workmanship are very important factors in achieving good quality construction which will enhance durability of concrete. Deterioration mechanisms in concrete structures are influenced by interaction with the environment.…”

Service life prediction and performance testing — Current developments and practical applications

“…Even when concrete does deteriorate, repair options are usually available. Notwithstanding the ability of concrete to provide useful and long-lasting infrastructure, concrete structures on occasion face durability problems mainly due to premature deterioration, which threatens economic growth, natural and non-renewable resources, and human safety [3][4][5]. Considering purely the economic losses due to premature concrete deterioration, these are substantial with the annual cost of corrosion worldwide estimated at US$ 2.2 trillion (2010), which is about 3% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) of US$ 73.33 trillion [6], and concrete corrosion contributes in some measure to this.…”

Experimental and Empirical Time to Corrosion of Reinforced Concrete Structures under Different Curing Conditions

“…(iii) The chloride diffusion is the dominant mechanism and is governed by Fick's second law of diffusion in the following differential equation [24]:…”